If ever a decision showed how out of touch those running the game of football are in Australia it was the one made to appoint Alessandro del Piero an Ambassador for the Asian Cup.
According to MIchael Brown the CEO of the Local Organising Committee for the Asia Cup ““He has galvanised interest in the A-League over the past two years, and we hope his association with the Asian Cup will do the same for what is the second oldest continental championship in the world.” This is debatable as when you travel overseas very few countries outside of Italy are that bothered about del Piero and in Asia you find they can name the ex EPL players who have played in the competition ahead of him.
The truth is we have plenty of exemplary Australians to appoint as ambassadors. WE could use this opportunity to educate people about the history of Australian football by having any of the 1974 Socceroos as ambassadors. After all Adrian Alston won a contract in England following his performances in Germany in 1974. Ray Baartz signed a two year deal with Manchester United when he was seventeen years old, this was when Sir Matt Busby was coach and United were at their peak.
In the modern era you have players like Mark Schwarzer who has played top flight football in Germany and England. Marco Bresciano who played in Italy and was much respected along with best mate Vince Grella. Mark Viduka along with Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill are Australia’s best known international players and all three of these could have done the job. The list goes on.
If you wanted to reward players who were pioneers Dave Mitchell was the first Australian to play in the Scottish Premier League, the Eredivisie, Bundesliga and Turkish league, while John Aloisi was the first to play all three top European leagues, La Liga, Serie A and the English Premier League. It is sad that all of these players have not been found roles and Australia opts to use a foreigner.
It is sad that those making these decisions do not see these roles as opportunities to promote Australians, and Australian football history not only to Australia and Asia but also to the world. One cannot help thinking this was a missed opportunity.
Agree with Stephen, Sydney are a better side without del Piero and Fox have pumped him up to be something he isn’t. The free kicks he wins are frequently dives, but because its del Piero he gets awarded them and not booked. His tackling is awful and when he does tackle frequently should get booked but does he ever?
To pay this guy to be an Ambassador is a disgrace. Its time to reward our own heroes and recognise those who earned peanuts in their playing days rather than lining the pockets of those who already made a fortune.
Football in this country deserves to fail with these sorts of decisions. Idiots running the game at all levels. People out of touch with the real football people.
Have to agree that this is a crazy decision. As far as I am aware in Asia its all EPL and Cristiano Ronaldo. Seriously how many non-Italians watch Serie A these days?
What makes it worse is hearing that he is being paid to be an Ambassador. The guy has made a fortune out of Australian football – a fortune he didn’t need – and still keeps taking. Let’s be honest he was finished when he came over here and despite Fox Sports crap, he can’t run, or tackle, all he can do is pass beautifully and fall over dramatically and con referees. Sydney FC play better when he is not playing. One man does not make a team and Del Piero is an example of that.
Australian football has fools running the game at all levels, look at WA if you want proof.