Two female directors join Football Federation Australia board

Football Federation Australia has advised of the election of Robyn Fitzroy and Carla Wilshire to its board after a vote at the governing body’s annual general meeting, filling the vacancies of Crispin Murray and Kelly Bayer Rosmarin.

FFA also defended its decision not to report a disciplinary issue following the Olyroos game in Cambodia in March to the board until the investigation commenced, saying it was “proper process”.

Murray and Rosmarin reportedly resigned from their posts last month because they were initially kept in the dark about the Olyroos’ incident in Phnom Penh, which has resulted in lengthy bans for four players.

After being re-elected to his position unopposed, FFA Chairman Chris Nikou explained “there’s obviously some sensitivities around the issue we’re looking at and had potential implications internationally for us in Cambodia and broadly.

“It was imperative was went through the proper process of investigation to ascertain the facts to put them before the board, and that’s what happened.”

Asked if the two Directors resigned because of the Olyroos matter, Nikou commented “you’d have to ask them.”

One of the banned players, Adelaide United star and Olyroos captain Riley McGree, has already chosen not to appeal his sanction, which lasts until 1st April next year. However, Melbourne City duo Lachlan Wales and Nathan Atkinson, as well as Perth Glory midfielder Brandon Wilson, are considering their options.

The trio’s suspension rules them out of a potential Olympics campaign next year.

Nikou also confirmed that Director Heather Reid has officially returned to the board after being on medical leave since February. Reid publicly apologised to former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic after comments made following his controversial sacking earlier this year.

However, she will not return as FFA Vice-Chair.

Commenting on this, Nikou added “the position technically under the constitution lapses at the AGM (so) we’ve agreed that the issue of the deputy chair will be re-visited down the track once we’ve got a full complement of directors.”

Fitzroy (99 votes) and Wilshire (63) beat fellow nominees Shane Healy (36) and John Marinpoulos (nil), while the Referees Association denied a spot in congress. FFA also reported that their net surplus for the 2018/19 financial year was $433,000, an improvement on the $126,000 loss the previous year.

Advising that the governing body is hoping to unveil a new chief executive to replace David Gallop towards the end of the month, Nikou added “we’re at the pointy end of the decision-making process and I would anticipate that we’d be able to make an announcement shortly.”

With AAP.