City Goal bamboozles refs

ADELAIDE UNITED

FFA chief executive David Gallop and Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin fail to reconcile

FOOTBALL Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop met Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin for peace talks which didn’t eventuate at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday night.

Griffin revealed Gallop requested the pair meet before the Adelaide and Sydney FC clash.

Also in charge of the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association, Griffin and Gallop said they had nothing to say about why the meeting was conducted before the clash.

Griffin has long been vocal about FFA’s inability to allow its congress to become much more democratic.

With FIFA sending in a taskforce to potentially end the impasse, Griffin is also still livid that Adelaide had lost three players to Olyroos duty in China during the A-League’s jam packed calendar over the past 19 days before facing Sydney.

“FFA has all but given the Premier’s Plate to Sydney FC,’’ Griffin said.

“Clubs like us and including Melbourne City and Central Coast have lost a good core of starting players.

“Sydney doesn’t blood youth and they’re at full strength for the entire season while clubs that do have faith in youth and are helping to breed Socceroos are punished for it.”

It was the first time this season that Gallop had ventured to Adelaide to watch an A-League match.

The FFA boss was destined to leave Adelaide on Monday morning.