Sydney will host the A-League grand final for the next three years in what has been described as a “unique opportunity to build a tradition for football fans”.
However, fans, players and pundits have all rebelled against the controversial move.
The Australian Professional Leagues, which runs the competition, has struck a deal with the NSW Government that will result in the A-League decider being played reportedly at either Accor Stadium, Allianz Stadium or CommBank Stadium in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Prevously, A-League grand final hosting rights were awarded to the side that earnt them as the highest-placed team.
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Even in 2020 when the entire finals series was played in Sydney due to the ramifications of Covid-19, Sydney FC – who beat Melbourne City 1-0 in the decider at CommBank Stadium – was the rightful ‘host’ after finishing the season on top of the ladder.
However, the APL has now followed the lead of the NRL and the AFL, and more recently Super Netball, by awarding hosting rights to a city regardless of the clubs involved in the decider.
The deal with government agency Destination NSW, reportedly worth over $10m, means that also the women’s A-League and E-League grand finals will be played in Sydney for the next three years.
“This is a unique opportunity to build a tradition for football fans,” APL chief executive officer Danny Townsend said.
“When you think about a cup final in England, you think about the trip to Wembley, and we want fans in Australia to look forward to the A-League finals in the same way.
“We have already broken the previous record for attendance this season in the A-League women and have set an objective to make history again with grand final attendance in the year that we host the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
This season’s A-League men’s grand final will be played on June 3, with the women’s decider taking place on April 30.
“We are working with transport and accommodation providers to develop special packages for travelling fans,” Townsend said.
“Because we have certainty about which city will be hosting the final from a long way out, we are able to build a ‘festival of football’ around these major events.”
However, the backlash was swift and almost universal.
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Perth Glory chief Tony Sage labelled the move “a fkn joke” on social media.
Socceroo Craig Goodwin was featured in the announcement video, saying: “grand finals are everything you dream of as a kid”.
But even the Adelaide United star was unhappy with the decision to lock in the location, replying to a fan on social media that he is: “not happy about it either mate”, and commenting elsewhere that he: “never said anything about liking it being in Sydney…”
Original Style Melbourne, Victory’s primary active support group, posted a statement claiming “the entire integrity of the finals series in this country has been compromised” and described it as an “absolute disgrace”.
Melbourne City’s own active support group, Melbourne City Terrace, wrote: “This decision has sent the message that the soul of our league is worth eight figures,” and claimed it was “negligent and ignorant towards the wants of the league-wide fanbase”.
Sydney FC’s support group, The Cove, wrote: “Whilst of course this decision benefits us, it is completely unfair and unjust to the rest of the league.”
Western Sydney Wanderer’s official supporters group, Red and Black Bloc, wrote: “We are completely against the decision… It was a decision to chase $$$ regardless of the integrity of the competition.”
