FFA independent review of national teams – what are the implications?

Liam Watson

Football Federation Australia (FFA) have announced they will address the way the Australian national teams are managed, by progressing with an independent review,

The FFA will address the decision-making processes and how items are reported to the FFA board, with the focus being that teams are operating at the highest standards.

It comes as the FFA seeks to learn from their handling of former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic.

The timing of his sacking from the head role raised question marks as he was the one to help guide the Matildas to the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

A situation like that, where legal action was taken by Stajcic, is something that the FFA doesn’t want to happen again.

It’s what has prompted the FFA to act and understand if there’s a better way of handling these issues in the future.

“The decision of the Board to replace Alen Stajcic as the Matildas coach is not under review or subject to review. However, the process raised questions for the Board on the manner in which conduct, performance and information are addressed by FFA as an organisation,” FFA Chairman, Chris Nikou.

The FFA have decided on a three-person panel who will all be involved in the decision-making processes and be part of the review.

The panel will be chaired by Diane Smith-Gander who is a professional non-executive director, alongside Rod McGeoch and Liz Ellis.

McGeoch is another non-executive director while Liz Ellis is a former captain of the Australian Diamonds netball team.

As part of their role, the panel will take part in interviews with FFA senior management and national team staff and need to evaluate documentation, information and correspondence.

A report will be compiled to the FFA board by the end of October 2019, with more details to come when that time comes about releasing information.

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Glasgow City FC and ALT Champion Sustainable Women’s Football

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Glasgow City FC has confirmed a new deal, which the club believes could serve as a model for funding a sustainable future for women’s football.

Glasgow City FC introduced the City Collective at the start of the 2025/26 season, a sponsorship model for female-led, purpose-driven businesses and cultural organisations that reflect the club’s values, fostering a network of mutual benefit.

The City Collective has now secured title sponsorship from ALT, a Glasgow-based creative campaigns agency led by co-founder Laura Haggerty.

At its heart, ALT specialises in strategic use of media and digital channels, and they build on this expertise by working with a collective of external experts, the ALT Collective, which includes specialists in brand design, PR, web development, and insight.

Glasgow City FC Head of Commercial Stef McLoughlin, expressed the values that guide the club and its community.

“‘Well behaved women seldom make history’ is an ethos we carry into everything we do. In the words of our co-founder, Laura Montgomery, it honours the many women who have defied expectations to make change and speaks to our players, our supporters and our community who continue to do the same,” she said via press release.

“Laura and ALT are the types of individuals and businesses we dreamed of attracting to the City Collective, and we’re thrilled they’ve seen the potential to partner with us in such a meaningful way.”

Founded in 2018, ALT is a creative campaigns agency that has quickly established a strong presence in women’s sport and beyond, delivering marketing campaigns for national and club-level women’s competitions, as well as the World Boxing Championships, which this September featured men’s and women’s bouts on equal footing.

ALT Co-founder Laura Haggerty, reflected on the shared vision between the agency and the club.

“When I heard about the club’s desire to combine Glasgow’s female business, cultural and sports leaders under one network, I knew instantly we shared values. I am convinced the City Collective can mature, not only being of great mutual benefit to the club and its supporters, but become a brilliant template for all women’s football teams to follow that will help galvanise and grow its support base and advocates,” she said via press release.

“I’m so proud ALT will be working in partnership with the club to improve its standing in the city, and create lasting, tangible opportunities for powerful women to connect with each other across the city.”

This alliance sets a new benchmark for women’s football, promoting both sustainability and growth by creating lasting opportunities, strengthening community engagement, and providing a model for other clubs to follow.

Apollo Sports Capital Acquires Majority Stake in Atlético de Madrid

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Atlético de Madrid and its principal shareholders Miguel Ángel Gil, Enrique Cerezo, Quantum Pacific Group, and Ares Management funds confirmed an agreement for Apollo Sports Capital (ASC), Apollo’s global sports investment platform (NYSE: APO), to acquire a majority stake in the Club.

The shareholder group plans to inject additional capital to advance the Club’s long-term strategy, with a focus on strengthening Atlético de Madrid’s teams and developing key infrastructure projects. Among these is Ciudad del Deporte, a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment district beside the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, designed to become a global hub for sport, culture, and community life.

Supported by Apollo’s experience in sports and media, ASC aims to turn the area into a dynamic hub for sport, culture, and community activity.

ASC’s investment will strengthen Atlético de Madrid’s standing among the world’s leading football clubs and advance its goal of achieving sustained success for its global fan base. As long-term partners, ASC and the current shareholders will work alongside the Club’s management to bolster financial stability, sporting performance, and community engagement.

Atlético de Madrid CEO Miguel Ángel Gil, shared his thoughts on the significance of the partnership and the Club’s ambitions for sustained growth.

“We are very proud to welcome a committed new partner to the club. Apollo Sports Capital is a powerful ally who respects the history, traditions and defining identity of Atlético de Madrid and its fans, while bringing additional strength and enthusiasm to help maintain our growth and competitiveness,” he said via press release.

“Looking ahead, together we see significant opportunity to drive strong, sustainable growth of Atlético de Madrid as we build on our remarkable legacy. It was important to me to select a long-term investment partner who believes in our strategy and can enhance our activities off the pitch with the development of Ciudad del Deporte.”

Apollo Partner and co-Portfolio Manager of ASC, Robert Givone, highlighted Apollo Sports Capital’s investment and shared goals with Atlético de Madrid.

“Atlético de Madrid is one of Europe’s great sporting institutions and we are honored for Apollo Sports Capital to invest in this storied club and its more than 120-year heritage. Miguel Ángel has done a tremendous job transforming Atlético and it was important to us that we invest behind his continued leadership, in addition to investing in the team and the local community,” he said via press release.

Apollo Sports Capital’s investment remains subject to standard closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is anticipated to be finalised in Q1 2026.

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