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Fiery football broadcaster Lucy Zelic says the A-League ‘sold its soul’ with the decision to sell the grand final to Sydney for three years.
- Former SBS anchor Lucy Zelic has criticized the A-League’s ‘turd’ decision
- Sydney will host the next three men’s and women’s grand finals, agreement with the New South Wales government
- A sacked Zelic said the A-League ‘sold its soul’, labeling the development ‘despicable’
- Dozens of fans are outraged, players like Craig Goodwin are also unhappy.
- Melbourne fans have threatened to walk out on Saturday’s derby in protest.
Outspoken soccer broadcaster Lucy Zelic has criticized the A-League, stating they have “sold their soul” after making a decision to sell grand final hosting rights to the New South Wales government for more than $10 million. .
Zelic, 36, did not mince words after Australian Professional Leagues (APL) boss Danny Townsend’s announcement on Monday.
The agreement will be in effect for the next three seasons.
Previously, the men’s and women’s A-League clubs that excelled in their respective final series won the right to host the deciding matches.
‘They [the A-League] they sold their soul,’ Zelic said in SEN’s home race. ‘There is nothing good in this decision.
“The A-Leagues can dress this pig up as much as they want and they can call this jerk whatever they want, he’s still a jerk.”
Broadcaster Lucy Zelic has criticized the A-League, stating that they have “sold their soul” by taking $10m from the NSW government for Sydney to host the men’s and women’s grand finals of the competition until 2025.
Fans of Adelaide United and Brisbane (both teams pictured) will have to fork out for flights and accommodation to watch the grand final in Sydney for at least the next three years if their teams make it to the decider.
Zelic bluntly called the development “disgusting, despicable and shameful” and felt it was “a slap in the face for football fans who have truly supported their teams for many years.”
He then pointed to a scenario in which Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City could progress to a men’s or women’s decider in Harbor City.
Fans would have to shell out for flights, accommodation as well as tickets for the grand finale.
Zelic also felt that Sydney fans would not be interested in seeing two interstate teams fight for the trophy.
The former SBS host was not finished, declaring on Monday that the board members of the men’s and women’s A-League clubs should be held accountable for the decision as they continue to ‘replenish their coffers’.
Zelic also pointed to the rising cost of living when explaining why the decision will cause more fans to leave the game in Australia.
A Sydney A-League grand final (both teams pictured) would be a promoter’s dream, but selling a decider in Harbor City between two interstate teams won’t be easy for a competition already struggling with low crowds. .
On Tuesday morning, Zelic tweeted that the A-League has already tried to “Australianise” football in this country since the NSL’s demise, before pondering what the officials’ next move will be.
Townsend confirmed that the decision was made in consultation with all the men’s and women’s clubs in the A-League.
In his opinion, it was vital to establish a new tradition, which after 18 years needed to be renewed if it was to remain relevant.
“Change is hard, the initial reaction (from the fans) will always be emotional,” he said.
“We hope and believe that in the fullness of time we will look back on this moment and people will be grateful that we had the confidence to make this decision.”