مقاله سال ۲۰۱۶

 مرور مدیریت ورزش – Sport Management Review

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) represents one of the six Confederations constituting the Fe´de´ ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the world’s governing body of soccer. The AFC comprises 46 Member Associations and is recognised as the most populous FIFA confederation, representing over half the world’s soccer. As the governing body for soccer across the Asian region, the AFC is responsible for the operation of the sport, which includes the regulation of the sport, the development of grassroots and youth soccer, and the staging of major competitions, such as the AFC Asian Football Cup and the AFC Champions League.

After years of lobbying for inclusion, Australia was approved to join the AFC in 2006. This resulted in Australia switching confederations from the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). While there are many benefits associated with Australia’s inclusion in the AFC, it is not without controversy. Australia’s inclusion within the AFC has helped to improve the status of soccer within Australia, both on and off the field (Georgakis & Molloy, 2014; Moore, 2009). Australia hosted the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, where the Australian national team won the championship. Australia’s success within the AFC, which has occurred in a relatively short time, has appeared to create controversy within the AFC with discontent being suggested among some AFC member nations. Media reports have emerged claiming that the AFC President, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, had indicated rising dissatisfaction among certain AFC members regarding Australia’s position within the AFC. While this was quickly denied by the AFC President, this has raised the issue of whether Australia should be included as part of the AFC.

This case study explores the history and position of soccer in Australia, Australia’s journey to become included in the AFC, and discusses the positives and negatives of inclusion. In doing so, the case is told through the position of Erik Neilsen, a fictional Football Federation of Australia (FFA) executive. Erik reflects on the state of Australian soccer, emphasising points necessary to understand the scenario from the viewpoints of Australia and of other AFC members. This case addresses several areas of management, which gives it flexibility for use in various courses at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Students are challenged to think critically on Australia’s place within the AFC, specifically recognising positives and negatives from multiple viewpoints. Further, students can examine the role of stakeholders in international sport and events and/or assess equity within sport and event organisations. An overarching objective for students is to determine what management strategies and messaging needs to be undertaken in order to cultivate positive relationships with other AFC members.