Glory chief vows to fight on
Perth Glory chairman Tony Sage says he feels devastated for the players and fans over the soccer club’s finals ban for salary cap breaches and has vowed to look at all options to appeal against the ruling.
The club’s millionaire owner broke his silence on Football Federation Australia’s decision to boot Glory from next month’s finals and fine the club $269,000 as Perth its officials continue their legal fight against the judgment.
An urgent after-hours injunction lodged in WA’s Supreme Court on Friday night will resume with a hearing at 2.15pm today.
It is understood Glory is seeking that the finals ban and financial penalties the FFA handed down be suspended and ultimately overturned.
A Glory spokesman said: “The club disputes that the FFA board had the ability to impose sanctions and penalties unless it affords the club a fair hearing under the processes set out in the FFA statutes.”
Club chief executive Jason Brewer has maintained Glory is innocent of breaching the A-League’s salary cap this season.
The league’s governing body ruled Perth had gone about $400,000 over the cap in failing to disclose benefits and payments to at least six players.
In a statement to The West Australian, Mr Sage said proving Glory’s innocence was extremely important to him after pouring almost $20 million into the club under his ownership.
He said he would stand by his declaration to demand Mr Brewer’s resignation if Glory’s guilt over salary cap breaches was proved through the appeals process.
“If my CEO has done anything wrong, he is gone,” Mr Sage said. “He is 100 per cent confident we have not breached.
“I feel gutted. It has been the worst three days of my life. I am devastated for the players, members, fans and sponsors.”
FFA intend to have lawyers at today’s this afternoon’s hearing after not being represented at Friday’s late sitting. The federation was in talks with Glory yesterday in a bid to prevent a prolonged court battle.
Former Glory Shed Supporters Club president Basil Hanna said only a small number of supporters intended to ask for a refund of membership fees for this season.
“We’re really concerned about the club because those new supporters, those fringe supporters, those supporters that have only come in recent times, they may not come back,” he said.
“It’s a real concern for the future of the club.
“At the moment, even the die-hard fans are feeling a sense of shame.
He urged Glory to accept the FFA’s punishment and set about rebranding the club.
An FFA spokesman said no action would be taken against Glory over a flare being let off by supporters at Friday night’s 3-0 loss to Sydney FC at nib Stadium.
Two teenagers, aged 15 and 16, face match bans of up to 10 years after being charged by police for allegedly setting off a flare about 9pm that hit a 13-year-old boy.
“FFA has a zero tolerance to anti-social behaviour and the use of flares at Hyundai A-League matches,” the FFA spokesman said.
“Two people have already been identified and they will be subject to bans under the FFA Code of Conduct.”
