Football Queensland changes Brisbane competitions mid-season

Football fixtures and training in Brisbane have been thrown into chaos by a managerial dispute between the Queensland and Brisbane governing bodies.

The confusion, which caused games to be cancelled, commenced on Wednesday after Football Brisbane announced all matches were suspended due to the conflict.

As reported by the ABC, Football Brisbane sits under the umbrella of its governing body Football Queensland and includes thousands of players from children to adults.

The ABC reported that the is over a decision by Football Queensland to split the Brisbane zone into two new zones known as Football Queensland Metro North and Football Queensland Metro South.

A message from Football Queensland Chief Executive, Robert Cavallucci to Football Brisbane board of directors on Wednesday advised that as of 10th July the body had adopted a new by-law and as a result "the zone previously known as Brisbane no longer exists".

The message went on to stated "as you no longer have the status of Zone Executive Councillor, you can no longer be a member of Football Queensland."

A Football Brisbane statement on Wednesday afternoon said it was advised it was "no longer members of Football Queensland" and had to suspend all games immediately because they were not covered by insurance anymore.

It noted "the legal advice is that it leaves Football Brisbane, the clubs and players at risk from an insurance perspective, as the existing policy is held by Football Queensland."

Football Brisbane said it was blindsided by the news, which "arose without warning or consultation", adding "this is certainly not a situation that we anticipated being in. We simply want everyone to be able to do what they enjoy, and that's play football."

Football Queensland responded to the Football Brisbane statement by reassuring players the insurance policy was still intact and all players were covered by a national insurance scheme at trainings and games.

Its later statement advised "all clubs are directly affiliated to Football Australia and all participants are registered to Football Australia through Football Queensland.

"This has not changed despite the conflicting information provided by Brisbane today."

Many players missed matches on Wednesday night, confused by the conflicting statements.

Brisbane City League player Oscar Sullivan told the ABC he was frustrated and felt Football Queensland had "no answers or direction" for the current situation.

He commented "the chopping and changing is a nightmare when you're trying to organise 16 people, it's hard enough to get everyone in one place let alone if those details change constantly.

"We pay our fees and put a lot of time and effort into organising a lot. Last year's competitions were already a mess. Then we have had a lot of disruptions this year as well."

Gregory Vitulano, Treasurer of Football Brisbane member club North Brisbane FC said he was "appalled" by Football Queensland's decision to disaffiliate Football Brisbane mid-season.

Vitulano stated "we signed up to play in competitions that were going to be managed by Football Brisbane. We would expect that contract be honoured for the year. We find it appalling Football Queensland should break that contract.

He said the clubs affected were not consulted by Football Queensland before the decision was made, adding "I can tell you my club's perspective here is that we're happy with the status quo. We're happy to be a member club of Football Brisbane and having our competitions run by them."

Cavallucci controversially moved from being a board member of Football Queensland to Chief Executive in November 2019.

A recruitment company owned by previous Football Queensland Chairman Ben Richardson was paid $44,000 for services rendered over a two-month period in undertaking the recruitment process.