'Lowy lackey' under the gun as Australia face up to threat of FIFA ban

Football Federation Australia's main ally in their bid to block FIFA-backed Congress reform is facing a backlash from within his own federation that could see him removed from office.

A day after besieged FFA chairman Steven Lowy announced he would not be seeking re-election in November, the man dubbed "Lowy’s lackey", Capital Football chief Mark O’Neill, finds himself under pressure from a growing number of disgruntled ACT constituents.

The former ACT lawyer is the spokesman and figurehead of four renegade state federations who have voiced their opposition to sweeping reforms recommended by the FIFA-sanctioned Congress Review Working Group (CRWG).

As things stand - Capital Football, Northern Territory, Tasmania and Northern NSW - are thought to be willing to vote down the changes at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) next month, a move which could see Australia suspended from world football by FIFA.

The World Game has learned that a groundswell of support for O’Neill to be axed is building, with the territory’s nine NPL clubs and wider membership seeking a ‘please explain’ over his decision to form an alliance with Lowy in thwarting reform.

The expectation from his opponents is that O’Neill could be forced out prior to the crucial EGM, thus removing one of the key forces against reform.

ACT and Northern Territory, Lowy’s most loyal supporters, represent just three per cent of Australia’s registered players. Add Northern NSW and Tasmania and the figure rises to just 18 per cent.

Seventy-five per cent of the vote is needed to rubber stamp the CRWG’s recommendations in September, with the votes of at least three dissident states required to scupper the will of the majority in democratising the game’s governance. 

O’Neill, according to his critics within the ACT, has not articulated his position to the local football community and is under the gun to clearly and fulsomely explain why he is not supporting the CRWG’s findings.

There is also disquiet in the ACT over O’Neill’s perceived cosy relationship with Lowy, and the influence the FFA chairman is said to exert over him.

But O’Neill insists he is not acting unilaterally, telling The World Game: “I represent the Capital Football position as endorsed by the CF Board. This position has been discussed with CF Members.

“We have simply identified issues (over grassroots football) for consideration as part of a constructive contribution to the democratic process that is underway.

“We are independent and not influenced by any undue (outside) influence.”

Adding that he “seeks the opinion of those involved in football to inform ongoing dialogue and decision making”, O’Neill hinted that his federation’s alliance with the FFA might not be as rock solid as most suppose.

“The current position of CF is to await the outcome of the FIFA Member Associations Committee next week and consider further any motions proposed,” he said.

“CF has not rejected any specific recommendation and has constructively raised issues for further consideration.”

It’s understood that CRWG’s recommendations - which would grow the Congress to 29 and endorse an independent A-League - have already been signed off by FIFA, in advance of Monday’s official announcement from Zurich.

Despite Lowy’s statement on Thursday that he was unaware what FIFA’s verdict would be, it’s believed the FFA is already privy to a letter outlining FIFA’s unconditional backing for the reforms.

All of which places O’Neill and his acolyte states under intense scrutiny, with Northern NSW and Tasmania said to already be wavering in their commitment to the Lowy/O’Neill axis.

O’Neill has been characterised as a Lowy stooge by pro-change forces, and it has been postulated he acted as an FFA insider, texting them with updates during crucial meetings with stakeholders, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation in Sydney last August.

His enemies believe his voice was pivotal, along with that of Lowy, in overturning previous consensus between the state federations and the A-League clubs.

“That whole situation was unfair,” O’Neill told The Australian last week.

“I represent the interests of a member federation and what we believe to be the best interests of football.

“There is no alignment (with the FFA and Lowy). (The four member federations) are certainly not a lackey for Steven Lowy or the FFA.

“I am not doing his bidding.”