By Tim Fuller
Clive Palmer has vowed to take legal action against the FFA and is pulling no punches in his response to the decision. He has launched an extraordinary attack on Lowry and called him a 'dictator' after the decision was handed down. It seems certain that the revoke of the licence is not the end of the matter, and this 'match-up' is headed for extra time, a penalty shoot-out and whatever comes after that.
The concept of a 'breakaway' competition is not new to our sporting codes. Historically, the breakaway formations in Super league and World Series Cricket have resulted from competition law impacts. World Series Cricket was instigated and formed by the late Kerry Packer to take on the 'establishment'. The reason for the new competition was because players were not paid enough and Packer wanted exclusive broadcasting rights to the game. Similar reasons lay behind Rupert Murdoch and News Limited forming Super League.
In theory, there is nothing to stop an individual like Clive Palmer from forming his own league. The difficulty lies in a sport like football any new league will not be sanctioned by the FFA and, ultimately, FIFA. This means players would be ineligible for national selection and unable to play at the biggest event in the game – the World Cup.
Balanced against these sanctions would be the prospect of the players contracted to any "Palmer League" earning more money than what they are currently on. We have seen through the IPL and the vast earning potential for contracted players in that competition that a number of players are prepared to put 'self before country'.
The unfolding of this scenario promises to be compulsory viewing from a legal perspective and we are one group of football fans that will be keeping a close eye on proceedings – both on and off the field!
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.