Ben Buckley: Why the Grand Final must be in Sydney

FFA CEO Benny the Buck Stops With Me, wants to see the Grand Final at a stadium which has a capacity to reflect our sport and games finest hour.

Disagree? Heaps do, especially those Newcastle Jets fans. And of course I feel for them, if and it's a big if, they get to the Grand Final.

Anyway below is the transcript from the FFA of what the Buck Stops With Me had to say...make up your own mind, and don't worry if you can't...I'll tell you what to think:)

I support the FFA's call for a Grand Final at a Stadium befitting the occasion. So Sydney it is.

Which ground? That's a tad more risky. Could we fill out Telstra. You bet, let's give it a go.

What do you think? and none of that cautious NSL thinking...puhleease:)


Transcript of Ben Buckley interview in relation to the Hyundai A-League 2008 Grand Final Venue
Please find below a transcript of an interview that Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chief Executive Officer, Ben Buckley, conducted today in relation to the current debate surrounding the selection of the Hyundai A-League 2008 Grand Final venue.

Q: Is the FFA being heavy-handed in wanting the Hyundai A-League 2008 Grand Final to be in Sydney?

We are not being heavy handed; the FFA has the right to schedule Finals matches where it sees fit. We spoke about this with the CEOs at our last CEO’s meeting prior to Christmas and gave an indication that it would be likely that we would move this particular match to Sydney.

Q: What are the factors in determining where it will be held?

There are a number of critical factors and the most important is making sure that we have a venue that can get the maximum amount of fans into the ground. We would hate to have a situation where, because of the limited capacity of a stadium, that we could only get 25,000 people to the Grand Final.


It is the most important match of the year. There’s an Asian Champions League spot up for grabs as well as the Championship Trophy. So, we’d like to make sure that as many fans as possible, from both competing teams, can come along and enjoy the match.

Q: Why is the FFA considering holding it at a venue other than in Newcastle or the Central Coast?

We want to make sure that fans who have come along and supported their team all year have the opportunity to do that. If we were to play in Newcastle or on the Central Coast their home stadia would not allow away fans to come and support their team, and we think that that would be a real disadvantage to people who have come out and shown support for their team for the whole year.

Q: Does this disadvantage those teams?

We don’t believe it’s a major disadvantage for them to play on a neutral venue. Clearly our key decision making criteria is to get the maximum amount of fans into the game. It’s our marquee game of the year and it should be played in the stadium that has the capacity to host more than just the home team fans.

Q: Is it unusual to hold a marquee match in a neutral venue?

It’s not unusual to have a major marquee match at a neutral venue in football. I think you see that the FA Cup Final is not played at Stamford Bridge or Emirates Stadium or White Hart Lane or Old Trafford. It’s played at Wembley.

Q: When do the Hyundai A-League finals start?

The Hyundai A-League 2008 Finals Series kicks off on Friday night when Sydney FC host Queensland Roar at Sydney Football Stadium. We’re hopeful of another big crowd and I’d encourage all Sydney FC fans and football fans to come along and support their team. On Sunday night we have Newcastle Jets hosting the Central Coast Mariners at EnergyAustralia Stadium. So, two wonderful games to kick the finals series off.