Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite says Football Federation Australia is playing poker using A-League, Socceroos and Matildas players as the joker cards.
Djite has been angered by FFA’s stance on cutting the current memorandum of understanding (MOU), which has been in place since 2007, and the governing body not being able to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) after the old one expired on June 30.
Djite who is on the executive board of Professional Footballers Australia would not rule out opening round strike action, which would have maximum impact on the A-League.
One of the fixtures - Adelaide United hosting Melbourne Victory at Adelaide Oval - is expected to break an A-League record for an A-League clash in SA after 33,000 fans turned up to that clash last year.
“I don’t think FFA sees the players as key stakeholders in the game,’’ Djite said.
“From a player’s perspective it’s the fans that are the key stakeholders, then I think it’s the players and then the owners because they’re putting in their hard-earned money into the game to get their teams up and running.
“Fox Sports is another big one - they throw a lot of money into this game.
“But for the FFA to be playing this game of poker in the middle of trying to renegotiate a new TV rights deal single-handedly has galvanised the players to go against them in such a fierce way.
“It’s a dangerous game I don’t know if the game is strong enough to deal with it - it’s not a good look.”
Djite said union members were prepared to do whatever it took to have a fair hearing from FFA.
Adelaide chairman Greg Griffin has represented clubs during talks with PFA, which have continually broken down over the last few months.
But Djite says there is no ill feeling towards his club chairman.
“I have a lot of respect for Greg,’’ Djite said.
“He’s a good lawyer but he’s got his job and I’ve got my job to make sure the players receive fair and equitable revenue in the game.”
After PFA on Wednesday released a statement about an update on the impasse, FFA chief executive David Gallop lashed out at statements made by the players’ union.
PFA claimed FFA would no longer recognise the union.
“FFA is shocked by the inaccuracies in the PFA’s media comments,” said Gallop.
“FFA continues to be committed to ensuring an appropriate MOU is agreed between FFA and the PFA, as part of a CBA (collective bargaining agreement), and any assertion that FFA intended to move forward without a CBA or MOU is wrong.
“FFA will continue to recognise the PFA and the role it plays and was preparing for an agreed face-to-face meeting with the PFA regarding the CBA this morning, which was cancelled by the PFA after the scheduled start time.
“FFA’s stance throughout the CBA negotiations has not wavered from its desire to acknowledge the important role of the players in the game’s growth by aligning current and future salary increases to the current economic landscape and sustainable growth of the game at all levels.
“The deal offered to the PFA, if accepted, would deliver the best ever deal for Australian professional footballers across the A-League, Socceroos and Matildas.
“This comes at a time when A-League clubs face economic challenges and are looking at investing in facilities and academy systems for the long term future that will see sustainability for decades to come.”
Nonetheless a PFA official refused to rule out a players black-ban this season after FFA incensed the union by issuing changes to the A-League player contract regulations.
Those changes were made without the knowledge of PFA said chief executive Adam Vivian.
“The (FFA) announcement unilaterally imposes the salary cap freeze rejected by the players in the collective bargaining agreement negotiations which will largely undermine the reforms and place even greater pressure on the A-League’s core player group,’’ stated Vivian.
“The PFA has a long track record of supporting and building the game.
“It is clear that FFA’s CBA proposals and its decision to withdraw recognition of the PFA are very damaging to both.
“FFA has left the PFA and the players with no option but to take the necessary steps to secure the rights and wellbeing of Socceroos, Matildas and A-League players under Australian industrial law.”
The union declared removing the MOU has left its members vulnerable legally.
PFA members were told of FFA’s intent last Sunday at the union’s general meeting.
The 177 members present rejected FFA’s CBA proposal as the union had concerns with a number of issues including an A-League salary cap freeze for at least the next two seasons.
Some A-League players are also owned a total of $1.4 million in contract payments while FFA has requested reduced Socceroos payments.
The PFA also stated FFA’s written proposals failed to reward the Matildas who receive part-time benefits despite having full-time commitments.
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