Daily Australian News 2012

SOCCER will be back on free-to-air television next month with a $40 million-a-year deal likely to be signed this week.

Fox Sports will continue to televise every domestic and international match live.

The Herald Sun understands SBS will also secure rights for A-League matches for four years from 2013, plus Socceroos games for five years.

SBS staved off a late bid from Network 10, which re-entered the race after missing out on NRL rights three weeks ago.

Kicking in a year earlier, the Socceroos' World Cup qualifiers will be televised on SBS on a one-hour delay, starting with a qualifier away to Iraq on October 16.

However, A-League will likely have to wait another year before games are shown on free-to-air.

The Herald Sun understands SBS will televise one live game a week - probably Saturday night.
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While SBS was keen to start immediately, Fox Sports wanted to retain exclusivity until 2013, when the present deal expires.

SBS may also screen a weekly highlights package.

The $40 million-per-year deal is likely to include at least $5 million in contra, with Fox Sports paying the lion's share. Fox Sports has had exclusive rights for A-League and Socceroos World Cup qualifiers and friendlies since 2005. The last deal was worth $21 million a year, incorporating $3 million of contra.

Football Federation Australia is proposing to lift the annual club dividend to $2.5 million once the deal kicks in (it already agreed to up the disbursement from $1.45 million to $1.9 million last July), covering the salary cap.

A-League owners are expected to fight for a larger sum.

Fox Sports executives were unavailable for comment and SBS head of sport Ken Shipp last night declined to comment.

Chief executive Ben Buckley remained tight-lipped last night and stressed that FFA was in no rush.

"We will take as much time as we need to take to get the agreement right and that's what we've said all along," Buckley said.

FFA has enjoyed a testy relationship with SBS.

Socceroos will be broadcast on SBS at 2:30am with a half hour delay. Full match will be replayed at 7am.

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Watch Socceroos v Jordan on SBS
11 September 2012-SBS


http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/resiz...27/w/310/h/174
Back on SBS... The Socceroos make their return to their spiritual home (Getty)

SBS will broadcast the next step of Australia's journey to the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup when the Socceroos take on Jordan in their next qualifier on Wednesday 12 September Australian time.

Jordan v Socceroos preview

Holger Osieck

Socceroos wary of Jordan threat

Thanks to a deal struck between Football Federation Australia, Fox Sports and SBS, the match will be broadcast on a one-hour delay free-to-air on SBS ONE, with coverage set to start at 2.30am AEST.

Broadcast details

Jordan v Australia
Delayed on SBS ONE from 2.30am AEST
Kick-off on SBS ONE 3am AEST

Exclusively live coverage will be on Fox Sports 3 HD from 1.30am AEST.

"SBS already has a long standing commitment to international football and we are passionate about this opportunity to work with FFA and Fox Sports to help grow the game in Australia," Ken Shipp, Head of Sport at SBS, said.

The match sees the national team's World Cup qualifiers return to free-to-air television some seven years after John Aloisi's historic penalty against Uruguay sent Australia to the Germany 2006 FIFA World Cup live on SBS.

SBS's coverage of Jordan v Australia will be hosted by Les Murray, with former Socceroos Craig Foster, David Zdrilic and Zeljko Kalac providing all the expert analysis.

In announcing the broadcast arrangement for the Jordan v Australia match, FFA CEO Ben Buckley said: "I thank our long-term partner Fox Sports for accommodating this arrangement.

"Australian football would not have achieved so much growth and development since 2005 without the significant investment of Fox Sports.

"I welcome SBS TV's support in broadcasting Wednesday's match. SBS has a rich history in covering domestic and international Australian football.

"FFA is currently in on-going discussions with Fox Sports and SBS over the long-term broadcast rights in Australian football.

"The discussions have reached an advanced stage and the parties have displayed good faith, which has allowed this one-off arrangement for Wednesday's match."

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, welcomed the announcement.

"For the good of the game I congratulate everyone involved in showing the Socceroos game tomorrow morning," Senator Conroy said.

"It’s great to see that all Australian football fans will have the chance to cheer on their Socceroos as they work to qualify for the World Cup."

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So was the Terror right about the media deal being done, or have they jumped the gun a little early, how pissed would SBS be if Buckley uses this to push 10 for more $$$$$

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The Australian

Wanderers won't shift on Del Piero match

by: Ray Gatt
From: The Australian
September 12, 2012 12:00AM

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THE Alessandro Del Piero phenomenon has not budged new A-League entity Western Sydney Wanderers, with the club refusing to switch the derby against Sydney FC to a bigger venue.

Despite fears thousands of fans could be locked out when the Italian legend plays for the Sky Blues against Wanderers in the third round of the competition on October 20, Western Sydney officials will leave the match at Parramatta Stadium.

The venue can hold only 20,000 and, with suggestions double the amount would attend the game because of the Del Piero factor, there were calls for the club to move it to the 80,000-capacity ANZ Stadium.

However, executive chairman Lyall Gorman said the Wanderers were determined to keep faith with their fans.

"We listened to the football community of western Sydney and they voted overwhelmingly in favour of Parramatta Stadium as the Wanderers' home ground," he said.

"We understand that our first ever match, against the Mariners (October 6), and the first ever Sydney derby will be hot tickets and that some of the public may miss out, but our commitment to our members comes first."

Gorman suggested the best way not to miss out was to become a foundation member of WSW. "Anyone thinking about becoming a Wanderers foundation member should move quickly," he said.

"Once the national on-sale commences, I think the Wanderers' home matches, particularly the Sydney derby, will be in high demand."

The Wanderers yesterday added two foreign players to their squad, boosting numbers to 18.

Italian Iacopo La Rocca and Dutchman Youssouf Hersi have signed one-year deals.

La Rocca, 28, a defensive midfielder, has had one trial and impressed coach Tony Popovic enough to earn a contract.

The Italian has has had stints in Italy and Switzerland.

Hersi, 30, adds experience to the Wanderers' defence after stints in The Netherlands, Greece and Cyprus.

Meanwhile, Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond is understood to be looking at signing former star striker Joel Griffiths, who is playing for Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua.

However, the club is also believed to be chasing a marquee player after seeing the reaction to Del Piero's signing at Sydney.

Griffiths, 33, has played 11 games this season with Shanghai and scored three goals.

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Thought I should put this 'ere.

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Originally Posted by Blackmac79

Thought I should put this 'ere.

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Fantastic news, but what kind of marquee striker can they get at this late stage? I doubt it would be one that just finished with a sparkling career at a huge club in a top league and is also a striker that can get 12+ goals, which is what we need the most.

Jets: Get Joel this year and look for a marquee next year. The league can ride on the coat tails of Del Piero. Only someone like Totti or Ronaldihno would rival Del Piero.

Not signing Joel will be a real missed opportunity for the supporters - he loves us and we love him.

not too sure who this Joel griffiths bloke is but I say give him a chance, hey

more people in Newcastle know Joel Griffiths than Alessandro Del Piero by a factor of about ten

why waste money on a foreigner no one knows when you can bring in the proven people's favourite?

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Originally Posted by boz-monaut

more people in Newcastle know Joel Griffiths than Alessandro Del Piero by a factor of about ten

why waste money on a foreigner no one knows when you can bring in the proven people's favourite?

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This. I really don't get the media hype about del Piero tbh. Sure he might bring a few extra euro snobs and old sokkah Italians through the gates but that's just preaching to the converted.

All the 'biggest signing in HAL history' crap ignores the fact that very few people other than soccer fans are going to know (or care) who he is and some random Italian guy isn't going to see packed houses around the country.

I'll rain on the parade.....

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Tarek determined to push aside emotion

FORMER fan favourite Tarek Elrich is determined to block out the emotion of his first trip back to Newcastle and concentrate on helping new club Western Sydney Wanderers get a result over the Jets in a friendly at Wanderers Oval, Broadmeadow, on Saturday.
Elrich, the Jets' most capped player with 134 games, was shown the door in acrimonious circumstances at the end of last season.
The 2007-08 championship winner was told of his release via text message just before the news was circulated on email to the media and club members.
"I played in Newcastle for seven years, so it is going to be a bit different," he said.
"I'm going to put that aside and not let the occasion get the better of me.
"We want to play a certain style. There is no way I am going to go out on my own and do something different just because it's against Newcastle.
"You don't want the emotion to get the better of you."
Elrich, 25, was one of six former Jets alongside Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Labinot Haliti and fellow title winners Adam D'Apuzzo, Ante Covic and Mark Bridge snapped up by the start-up franchise.
"It's been great," Elrich said.
"[Coach] Tony Popovic let us know exactly what he expected from day one.
"It wasn't like going to a new place where you are the new one coming in.
"Everyone coming in was new. That made it easier than going to another established club.
"Players didn't come here as a last resort.
"They left their clubs because they wanted to play for this team."
Elrich was used in a wide attacking role in the latter stage of his career in Newcastle but under Popovic has returned to his more accustomed position in defence.
"I have been playing at right back, but Poppa has given me the licence to attack," Elrich said.
"If play breaks down, he wants other boys to cover rather than me sprinting back 100 metres.
"We are playing a 4-3-3 similar to the Jets.
"But we defend in one style and attack in a different style."
Elrich is expected to be joined in the starting side on Saturday by Covic (goalkeeper), Topor-Stanley (centre back), D'Apuzzo (left back), Bridge (striker) and Haliti (striker).
"They are in the best shape I have seen them in and have never been as hungry," Elrich said of his teammates.
"The Jets started pre-season six weeks before we did, but the training down here is the toughest pre-season I have done."
Wanderers completed their overseas player quota yesterday with confirmation Italian defender Iacopo La Rocca and Dutch midfielder Youssouf Hersi had agreed to terms.
The Jets still have one visa place to fill.
Talks with an Italian striker broke down last week and they have now turned their attention to a Brazilian front man.
The Herald understands that 2007-08 golden boot winner Joel Griffiths is also back in the frame.
Griffiths, 33, is off contract at Chinese Super League team Shanghai Shenhua and, although he could earn more in China or the Middle East, he is open to a return to Newcastle.

Coach Gary van Egmond is believed to be in favour of getting Griffiths back but has not convinced management.

There was also speculation yesterday that the exposure Sydney FC had garnered with the recruitment of Italian superstar Alessando Del Piero had given Jets management cause to look again at signing a big-name marquee player.
The transfer window for most European countries closed on August 31, meaning the Jets can sign only players who are out of contract and unlikely to have played since May.
Saturday's trial kicks off at 2pm and is open only to Jets and Wanderers members.

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The fans want him, the coach wants him and he wants to come back......who is "management" ? Some open fan protesting may be required.

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Originally Posted by Disinterested Bystander

This. I really don't get the media hype about del Piero tbh. Sure he might bring a few extra euro snobs and old sokkah Italians through the gates but that's just preaching to the converted.

All the 'biggest signing in HAL history' crap ignores the fact that very few people other than soccer fans are going to know (or care) who he is and some random Italian guy isn't going to see packed houses around the country.

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But he is the biggest signing in HAL history. Del Piero will attract 1.The old NSL stayaways/euro centric fans, 2. more committed A-League fans, and 3. bandwagoners who are after entertainment/to be part of something big/to see what the fuss is all about. Two of these three groups don't currently go to Sydney FC games and A-League games in general. Del Piero's name will attract group 1 and 2, the all important "media hype" will attract group 3.

It's the perfect storm.

If we have a choice between a marquee like del Piero and Griff.

Sign Griff FFS.

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Originally Posted by Jetmaster

The fans want him, the coach wants him and he wants to come back......who is "management" ? Some open fan protesting may be required.

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I think you'll find that Robbie middleby involves himself with transfers a bit more than required. I know he did for a particular yoof signing, and that turned out disastrously. wouldn't be surprised if Robbie isn't a personal fan of griff & this is the only thing stopping it going ahead.

I suggest we flash mob the jets office

I also suggest we get furnz to write a glorious letter, and we email-bomb the jets contact email. like we did for the colour changes.

What happens when he leaves....

That's my issue with throwing millions after a name player at the end of their career, I'm much happier with the club throwing more funds at the emerging jets program and the prospect of the great one returning to cap off his career, bring Griffo home!

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Originally Posted by Thomas477

If we have a choice between a marquee like del Piero and Griff.

Sign Griff FFS.

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Me too. Sydney is in a different position to us. They need a Del Piero. We need the Griff.

Sydney having Del Piero will put bums on seats, but I can't see them doing any good as a squad.. As my old-boy said to me (not sure if he plagiarised it), they have got a Ferrari playing in front of a bunch of Fiats..

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Originally Posted by Jetmaster

The fans want him, the coach wants him and he wants to come back......who is "management" ?.

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This has Deans' fingerprints all over it.

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Originally Posted by Thomas477

If we have a choice between a marquee like del Piero and Griff.

Sign Griff FFS.

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I hate to be the one calling this out... but...

You'd rather JG who has basically been chasing $$$ in the chinese league for a cashed up no-name team, then a worldwide football legend who recently guided his team undefeated to a championship in one of the toughest leagues in the world?

I love the griff as much as anyone but if it was him or someone like del piero... i might have to think on it at least....

;)

G

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Originally Posted by Guerny

I hate to be the one calling this out... but...

You'd rather JG who has basically been chasing $$$ in the chinese league for a cashed up no-name team, then a worldwide football legend who recently guided his team undefeated to a championship in one of the toughest leagues in the world?

I love the griff as much as anyone but if it was him or someone like del piero... i might have to think on it at least....

;)

G

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he said "like" del piero. we can't get the man himself.

the answer would still be yes. you claim all joel has been doing is chasing $$$ in china but what would it say about us if we chose a del piero over a great A-League player who we love and who loves us? We would be the ones showing a lack of loyalty. What if he went on to play for WSW, for example. I'd be absolutely gutted.

it should be the easiest transfer deal in A-League history. I would hate to be the person in Jets management standing in the way of it if it doesn't go ahead. I would urge them to step out of the way. We will get 11,000 members if Griffo comes back.

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Originally Posted by pv4

I also suggest we get furnz to write a glorious letter, and we email-bomb the jets contact email. like we did for the colour changes.

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get on this ferns