Post by Tancred on Nov 9, 2004 15:16:10 GMT 10
According to
www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,11329224%255E12428,00.html
THE Australian Soccer Association will drop its little-liked name and be known as Football Australia.
The dramatic change will take place shortly after the new year.
As a fitting tribute to former Socceroos captain Johnny Warren who lost his battle against cancer at the weekend, the domestic game's new governing body has decided to change its corporate name to the Football Federation of Australia and be known thereafter as Football Australia.
There are no legal, business or commercial aspects that could stop the ASA from altering its name.
The soccer governing body's name change and subsequent reference of the sport as "football" is not expected to encounter too much opposition from rival codes like rugby league or rugby union.
But it won't go down well with the Australian Football League that considers itself the country's leading football organisation.
AFL Chief executive Andrew Demetriou said yesterday it was too early to comment on the matter. "We'll have to wait and see what happens and then we will act accordingly," Demetriou said.
Chief executive John O'Neill refused to comment on the FFA development that should please many round-ball fans who feel far more at ease with the word "football" than the Americanised "soccer".
Warren, who exerted much influence in Australian sport, had often voiced his strong opposition at the round-ball code being called "soccer" while 95 per cent of the sporting world called it football, futbol, fussball or futebol.
He would be pleased to know his wish will finally come true.
"Wow. This will show the world that we are ready to be part of the big football family," former Socceroos captain Paul Wade said.
"This must be what O'Neill meant when he said that Australian soccer was looking at the big picture."
Meanwhile, New South Wales premier Bob Carr said yesterday late Socceroos great Warren would receive a state funeral.
"Johnny Warren was a great Australian," Carr said in a statement, adding the government would meet with Warren's family soon to discuss funeral arrangements - including date and location.
While the Herald Sun feels it will be called the Football Federation of Australia
www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,11326190%255E2883,00.html
www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,11329224%255E12428,00.html
THE Australian Soccer Association will drop its little-liked name and be known as Football Australia.
The dramatic change will take place shortly after the new year.
As a fitting tribute to former Socceroos captain Johnny Warren who lost his battle against cancer at the weekend, the domestic game's new governing body has decided to change its corporate name to the Football Federation of Australia and be known thereafter as Football Australia.
There are no legal, business or commercial aspects that could stop the ASA from altering its name.
The soccer governing body's name change and subsequent reference of the sport as "football" is not expected to encounter too much opposition from rival codes like rugby league or rugby union.
But it won't go down well with the Australian Football League that considers itself the country's leading football organisation.
AFL Chief executive Andrew Demetriou said yesterday it was too early to comment on the matter. "We'll have to wait and see what happens and then we will act accordingly," Demetriou said.
Chief executive John O'Neill refused to comment on the FFA development that should please many round-ball fans who feel far more at ease with the word "football" than the Americanised "soccer".
Warren, who exerted much influence in Australian sport, had often voiced his strong opposition at the round-ball code being called "soccer" while 95 per cent of the sporting world called it football, futbol, fussball or futebol.
He would be pleased to know his wish will finally come true.
"Wow. This will show the world that we are ready to be part of the big football family," former Socceroos captain Paul Wade said.
"This must be what O'Neill meant when he said that Australian soccer was looking at the big picture."
Meanwhile, New South Wales premier Bob Carr said yesterday late Socceroos great Warren would receive a state funeral.
"Johnny Warren was a great Australian," Carr said in a statement, adding the government would meet with Warren's family soon to discuss funeral arrangements - including date and location.
While the Herald Sun feels it will be called the Football Federation of Australia
www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,11326190%255E2883,00.html
yeah it is a bit contradictory. But the marketing aspect is their, I reckon they'll change it in time.