FFA announces 70% staff cut due to COVID-19

March 30, 2020

Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today announced its regrettable decision to stand-down approximately 70% of its staff due to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

FFA Chief Executive James Johnson advises “this has been an extremely difficult decision to make, but necessary to stabilise the organisation so that it can continue to service the game, albeit in a vastly different landscape.

“Industries all over the world have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and football in Australia is no different.

“We are in a situation where grassroots football and the Hyundai A-League are currently suspended, we’ve had the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the deferral of the international football calendar, so virtually all football activity has now ceased for the foreseeable future because of COVID-19.

“These developments impact many forms of revenue for FFA, including national registration fees, broadcast fees, sponsorship, ticket sales and government funding, so we have needed to adjust our operations to ensure that we can remain operational, forcing us to take the unfortunate decision to stand down approximately 70% of our workforce.”

Johnson added “we have an incredible team here at FFA, and I am immensely proud of the work everyone does for football in this country. We have explored ways to retain as many staff as possible, including reducing essential roles to part-time, and asking staff to take annual leave and long service leave. Unfortunately, a number of staff members will have a period of leave without pay.

“We will continue to operate with a small team, with a focus on continual engagement with fans through digital platforms, supporting our member federations, clubs and the almost two million football participants in this country.

“I also believe that football has a very important role to play as a good and responsible citizen during these difficult times so we are looking at how we can contribute to our collective efforts to slow down the spread of COVID-19.

“We view this as a temporary stoppage of football. We will be continually reviewing the situation and the impact of COVID-19 on grassroots football and the remainder of the Hyundai A-League season. We need a strong national governing body in place and a team ready and able to get back to work as soon as possible, as football will play an essential role in the recovery of our nation post COVID-19.”

Image of Manly United Football Club Goalkeeper Sam Benton

25th March 2020 - Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces new measures aimed at slowing spread of Coronavirus

24th March 2020 - FFA announces suspension of A-League season

24th March 2020 - Coronavirus Update: City of Melbourne ‘cleaning blitz’, Dreamworld food donations, Gumbuya World and MCA closures - 24th March 2019

23rd March 2020 - Coronavirus Update: Aussie World, the AOC, Keep Gyms Open Petition, NRL, Queensland Art Gallery and Sydney Biennale - 23rd March

23rd March 2020 - Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces new social restrictions to prevent Coronavirus spread that will last for months

22nd March 2020 - AFL suspends season until end of May in response to Coronavirus

17th March 2020 - FFA suspends grassroots football

15th January 2020 - New FFA Chief Executive sets out priorities at first press conference

13th December 2019 - FFA and NZF unite to submit joint bid for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

19th August 2019 - FFA announces independent review of national football teams

5th July 2019 - FFA set to allow clubs to again use ethnic symbols and cultural names

21st June 2019 - FFA reveals framework for national second division with promotion and relegation

31st May 2019 - FFA Director Heather Reid apologises ‘unreservedly’ to sacked Matildas coach

21st May 2019 - FFA launches bid to host 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

12th April 2019 - FFA secures funding to increase female football participation

28th January 2019 - FFA to roll out walking football across Australia

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.