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Postecoglou says FFA spat shows “people care”

Revered Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou insists Australian football is in rude health despite a week of bruising off-field battles.

Dec 03, 2015, updated Dec 03, 2015
Australia's coach Ange Postecoglou looks on during this month's World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh.

Australia's coach Ange Postecoglou looks on during this month's World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh.

The public outing of 198 banned A-League fans last month sparked supporter protests and outcry from coaches, executives and players.

But Postecoglou sees through it all, saying it proves one thing.

People care.

In a 33-year career in professional football, he can remember too many times when they didn’t.

So while some perceive the code slipping into civil war, Postecoglou’s experience leads him to believe it is in sharp shape.

“I’ve been in involved in football my whole professional life and I’ve seen it all,” he said.

“This kind of thing was happening 25 years ago, 30 years ago, in the past the game was fragmented because people didn’t care enough to do anything about it.

“What you’ve seen this week is, when the football world is united, it’s a powerful voice.

“What you’ve seen over the last week is that a lot of people care, and not just in football.

“There might be differing opinions but they’re united in the fact they want to protect the game.

“The rest of it is just some noise from externals.”

With Frank Lowy’s departure as FFA chairman last month, Postecoglou stands clear as the code’s most authoritative figure in this country.

“I gave up long ago trying to defend the game because I don’t think it needs defending,” he said.

“I first started playing in 1983 and all I’ve seen since 1983 to 2015 is growth.

“There’ll be more growth to come and the Australian sporting public has embraced football as their game.

“The Socceroos and Matildas are their teams.

“As long as football stays united and it’s shown this week it’s pretty powerful, I have no fears for the game.”

The 50-year-old was named as Asia’s best coach on Sunday at a ceremony in New Delhi.

-AAP

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