Update: 51 teams/consortia have now joined the NPL boycott list
The National Premier League of Victoria (NPLV) soccer standoff has deepened, with 48 clubs now taking up legal action against the Football Federation of Victoria (FFV).
The Federation refused to extend the deadline to halt the roll-out this week and has forced the clubs to start legal proceedings.
The clubs believe the NPL program will financially cripple the clubs while it lacks consistency with other NPL programs around Australia.
In a statement prepared by the allied clubs, who are led by VPL team South Melbourne, the group is prepared to take the matter to the Supreme Court.
“GPZ Legal has already briefed eminent sports law barrister Paul Hayes to assist us,” the clubs said. “Court documents will now be prepared and filed in the Supreme Court.
“We’d like to commend all of the now 48 clubs/associations for taking the difficult but principled decision to stand together and try and achieve a successful NPL model for Victoria.
“It’s not only a historic stand, but such a vast number of clubs, representing a wide cross section of Victorian football, demonstrates the concerns that we all hold for the current model are valid and justifies our stance.”
FFV has stood firm once again and says they will not be altering the cut off date. Applications close August 16 and licences will be announced on September 30. The FFV is still confident the NPL will be rolled out in 2014, and says they are still helping out clubs and consortia with their applications.
FFV CEO Mitchell Murphy has been vocal through the media these past two weeks and has not changed his stance on the program’s details.
“I guess that we would reserve the right to potentially re-name the league but in general terms, the framework would stay as it is now,” he told MFootball.
Tom Kalas, South Melbourne director and a leading member of the boycott, has hit out at the CEO’s willingness to go to the media instead of opening a dialogue with the clubs.
“If you want to talk to us, don’t do it via the media,” he said in an open letter.
“Instead, suspend the process and come and sit down with us and have the discussion.”
Source: FourFourTwo, MFootball
