Adelaide demands FFA bid papers

SOCCER’S civil war has intensified with Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin demanding Football Federation Australia reveal all financial records relating to the country’s failed bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

A day after FFA chairman Steven Lowy shut down talks over a new A-League operating model, it has emerged Griffin threatened to take FFA to court if it did MIDFIELDER James Troisi (pictured) insists Melbourne Victory was always his preferred home after signing on with the A-League runner-up.

He had been strongly linked with a move to crosstown rival Melbourne City, with reports suggesting he underwent a medical with City on Monday. But Victory yesterday confirmed Troisi would be part of the club’s title push after signing a new two-year deal.

“Obviously, I had a fantastic season ... there’s always going to be a lot of interest,” Troisi said. “If I’m considering coming back (to Australia), Melbourne Victory would always be my first choice.”

Troisi confirmed he had attracted interest from several A-League teams, as well as clubs in England and Israel. But with next year’s World Cup looming, he said he had been reluctant to risk compromising his form with a fresh start overseas. not open its books to the clubs following FIFA’s release of the Garcia Report.

AAP has obtained a copy of a letter, dated July 21, sent by Griffin to Lowy in which the ultimatum was made.

The Garcia Report, published by FIFA in June, accused FFA of making “improper payments” to influence those voting on the 2022 World Cup venue.

Griffin, chairman of the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association, had already requested a full forensic audit of FFA’s finances be shared with the clubs after their proposal for a $4 million share of revenue to each club per year was turned down.

In the letter, he widened the scope of that request to include any financial documents pertaining to the 2022 World Cup bid.