Football Victoria (FV) released a statement on its website yesterday, Friday, December 22, rebuking what it said are the “false accusations” against FV in South Melbourne president Nicholas Maikousis’ Christmas party speech.

In his speech Maikousis criticised FV for hiring Christos Pehlivanis as the new CEO of the federation as “outrageous.”

“Football Victoria (FV) is aware of false allegations recently made by South Melbourne FC (SMFC) at a club function against the Member Federation.

“These inflammatory remarks, made by a formal representative of the club, are strongly condemned by FV as being inaccurate and damaging,” ,” the FV statement said

These inflammatory remarks, made by a formal representative of the club, are strongly condemned by FV as being inaccurate and damaging – FV

The tension arose Monday, December 18, when at a South Melbourne FC (SMFC) Christmas event, the club’s president, Nicholas Maikousis in his speech, expressed strongly worded opposition to the hire of Christos Pehlivanis as the new CEO of Football Victoria.

The FV statement pointed to “the associated 2024 NPL License”, and the “Member Code of Conduct”.

It said they will “investigate these comments and determine appropriate action or sanction through the Grievance, Disciplinary and Tribunal (GDT) process.”

“FV welcomes constructive feedback and engagement through established channels for the betterment of football and our community,” FV said.

FV president Antonella Care told Neos Kosmos that the statement “stands for itself”.

“There is a process that needs to be gone through, and you know, as a board of directors, we don’t get involved in any team matters.”It’s got to run its course, and whatever comes out, comes out,” Care said.

She said that FV has been “working incredibly hard” to re-establish our relationships with our football clubs.”Care added that the desire to re-establish club relationships was “incredibly evident” at the Special General Meeting (SGM).

At the SGM, the FV membership structure was changed, which Care said showed that “we are all heading in the same direction, in the right direction”.

Most clubs seem “relatively satisfied with where we’re heading, “Care told Neos Kosmos. “We look forward to what 2024 will bring,” said Care, adding that FV is “very excited” about what will “happen in the new year.”

“We’ve come off a very big year, a very busy year, and it’s time for us to focus on football. We are only looking forward; we’re not worried about anything else.

To read the complete FV statement, go to: https://www.footballvictoria.com.au/news/fv-statement