Football Federation Victoria (FFV) has announced that it will record all VPL seniors’ matches in which the embattled Southern Stars Football Club has played this season as a “No Result”.*
This means that all points and all goals scored in those matches will not be counted, along with individual goal scorers and 2013 Gold Medal votes which may also be seen to be potentially compromised.
Accordingly, the match between Bentleigh Greens and Southern Stars this weekend is to be played under the same conditions.
FFV chief executive Mitchell Murphy said: “With one round of the home and away season to play and the finals series to follow, the integrity and fairness of the remaining games in season 2013 are of paramount concern to FFV and all stakeholders in Victorian football.”
Mr Murphy stressed the decision will ensure, as far as possible, that all results achieved by the remainder of the VPL teams and players, including those competing in finals, will not be tainted by any suggestion that those achievements were not properly and fairly earned.
He said the decision had been taken to provide certainty for all teams in the VPL competition and to maintain their integrity. It will not impact on Southern Stars’ final position for the 2013 competition season.
“In doing so, however, FFV has not in any way prejudged or made any determination about the truth or otherwise of the current allegations against the Southern Stars’ players and coach,” Mr Murphy said.
In light of the serious nature and extent of the allegations and other statements reported in the media, including from Victoria Police and Football Federation Australia and the importance of following due process (including respect for the presumption of innocence), FFV has engaged Barrister Simone Bailey to carry out an investigation into the match-fixing allegations matter under its regulations and report back to FFV as soon as possible.
That report is expected to include recommendations as to what, if any, further action may be taken against those involved.
*Rule 4.6.2 (FFV Rules of Competition) states: FFV reserves the right to record any FFV Competition Fixture as a “No Result”.
Information from the FFV press release was used in this report.