Following an emergency meeting held in the wake of the resignations, Soccer Australia acting chairman Les Avory issued a statement reaffirming the organisation's continued restructuring of Australian soccer and its goals for the future of the game in the country.
He stated: "With the recent resignations of a number of individuals associated with Soccer Australia, there has been much media and public speculation surrounding the continued goals of the current Board of Soccer Australia.
“The Board of Soccer Australia would like to reassure the public and corporate supporters of our great world game that we are determined to move forward across a range of issues that challenge Soccer Australia at this moment.
“We have just held a Board meeting that displayed complete unity among the elected representatives of the game in Australia, with healthy discussion on a number of important issues.
“Following the annual general meeting of 26 October where the stakeholders voted for a change of governance within Soccer Australia in a clear and democratic process, the recent resignations have signalled the closing of a difficult chapter and the dawn of a new era for our sport nationally.
“Recent media coverage of soccer in Australia has not been positive and the first item that the Board has asked to be conveyed to the public and
corporate supporters of our game is our commitment to improve the sport in Australia with the assistance and cooperation of all key stakeholders.
“This Board would like to make it very clear that there have been some inaccurate media reports as to it’s current views on a number of important
topics.
“The Board of Soccer Australia unequivocally supports the terms of reference of the current review by the Australian Sports Commission and will provide whatever support is necessary to ensure the integrity of the process.
“Good corporate governance is a key to any successful business or organisation, and the Board of Soccer Australia is committed to the
principles of good leadership to further build on the strengths of soccer in Australia.
“The financial position of Soccer Australia is currently being addressed and following discussions with ASIC we are complying with its requests in a confident and timely manner.
“Our relationship with our long-term broadcasting partner Channel 7 is currently under review and discussions are continuing.
“The Board and stakeholders have committed themselves to reforming our premier domestic competition, the National Soccer League, so that we can have an autonomous, dynamic and prosperous competition that complements the career path for the growing record number of soccer participants in Australia.
“Discussions to identify and appoint high profile, experienced and qualified individuals to the recently vacated positions within Soccer Australia have already commenced.
“The stakeholders of soccer in this country will continue to be briefed and involved with the business of Soccer Australia commencing with the General Meeting to be held in Sydney on Saturday 7 December 2002. This will be followed by the next National Planning Forum, which will be held in February of next year.
“Since the last annual general meeting when this Board was appointed, we have been able to confirm the prestigious and historic international
friendly against England in London for 12 February 2003 – we remain absolutely committed to this game which has attracted potential sponsors to Soccer Australia and look forward to giving the fans more of the same – their beloved Socceroos on the world stage in selective, attractive and meaningful matches on FIFA approved international dates."
