Socceroos star Craig Goodwin has been forced to apologise for appearing in a promotional video accompanying the APL’s controversial decision to award hosting rights of the grand finals to Sydney through a sponsorship with the NSW government.
A short clip of Goodwin, who played a starring role in the Socceroos’ march into the round of 16 at the World Cup in Qatar, appeared early in the video.
“The biggest reason why these games are so important is because they’re everything you dream of as a kid,” he said.
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But after coming under fire on social media, Goodwin made his own statement on twitter.
“I wanted to clear things up publicly. I may be in the video for the (APL’s) choice to host grand finals in Sydney, but I do not support it,” he said.
“I am a player, but I am also a fan.
“The fans are the most valuable thing in football and as we have seen from the support throughout the country for the Socceroos at the World Cup, they are the ones that create the atmosphere and culture, and what makes the game great.
“Like many fans around the country … I too am disappointed in this decision.”
Perth Glory owner Tony Sage has revealed the APL did not inform clubs they had signed the contract, and only learned the deal was done when he woke up Monday morning. The news broke about 8am (AEDT) Monday morning – 5am in Perth.
Speaking on Breakfast with Millsy and Karl on Perth’s 6PR, Sage said the contract was on the agenda to be discussed in a meeting of clubs on Thursday.
“I woke up this morning (and) I had all these text messages – it’s the first I knew about it as an owner of a club,” he said.
“I thought it was going to be decided by vote on Thursday when we will meet together.
“No, then they go out and do the deal … it is a slap in the face. We had 57,000 at the grand final against Sydney, the highest on record.
“Say we make it and we play the Wellington Phoenix in the grand final. Do you how many people are going to turn up in Sydney to watch that? How many can afford to?”
Despite his criticism of the way the APL handled the announcement, Sage said he understood why they would sign the contract.
“If I was on that board, looking at the finances, if you’re guaranteed the amount of sum of money – they haven’t told us what it is yet – but indicated, I can understand their decision,” he said.
“They have got a sweetener in there – there’s going to be a home and away semi final … so the fans will be able to do that in their own states.
“I just dread to see if it’s Adelaide versus Brisbane or Perth versus Wellington in the grand final, how many people in Sydney would turn up?”
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