Kenny- Dowall faces drugs charge
Brisbane City has entered the A- League expansion race after revealing a comprehensive bid that has been warmly received by Football Federation Australia.
The former National Soccer League side has a group of local investors in place who are backing them to return to Australian football’s top tier after a 39- year absence.
If approved, FC Brisbane City — or the Gladiators — would play out of a refurbished Ballymore Stadium and undergo a full rebranding, with a new logo and maroon, gold and blue as their primary colours to pitch themselves to a wider audience.
Bid chairman Robert Cavallucci has met multiple times with FFA executives who were impressed by their level of organisation, with their plans nine months in the making.
It’s understood no other current bid is as detailed and elements of it outstrip some A- League clubs, as Brisbane City seek to become derby rivals for the Roar and make Brisbane a two- team town like Sydney and Melbourne. Cavallucci said the initial response from FFA had been “fantastic” while A- League broadcasters Fox Sports were also fully supportive.
“Our bid is complete. Our funding model is secure. We are ready to join the A- League,” Cavallucci said yesterday. “In our view, Brisbane is ready for two teams as well. To think it can’t support two teams is misguided.
“But we know it’s not just about us, it’s about how we can help grow the A- League as a whole, and increase attendances and TV ratings. Our plan, and the introduction of a Brisbane derby, can make that happen.”
A prominent Brisbane businessman and one- time state politician, Cavallucci’s consortium wanted to buy the struggling Brisbane Roar last year from Indonesian conglomerate the Bakrie Group.
When their “rescue package” was knocked back, they decided to use it as a foundation for an A- League expansion bid instead and put their resources behind Brisbane City, who were founded in 1952 by Italian immigrants.
Their 80- page proposal to join the A- League covers everything from governance structures, ticket pricing, supporter engagement and football operations to public transport, women’s football and Indigenous development. Shaun Kenny- Dowall is facing an uncertain NRL future after the Sydney Roosters star was allegedly caught with cocaine at a Sydney nightclub.
The former New Zealand international is due to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on June 21 after being charged with drug possession.
Kenny- Dowall was arrested at the Ivy nightclub about 1am yesterday after allegedly being caught by police in possession of 0.46 grams of the drug.
The Roosters have commenced an investigation and informed the NRL integrity unit, with the incident to have an impact on the 29- year- old’s desire to retire a one- club player.
A veteran of 11 seasons at Bondi Junction, 224 NRL games and 21 tests for New Zealand, Kenny- Dowall is off contract at the end of 2017 and fighting for his future.
After an indifferent start to the season, he was dropped from the New Zealand side for last night’s Anzac test against Australia and is battling to convince the club he’s worthy of another contract.
Last month, Kenny- Dowall was spotted with Newcastle coach Nathan Brown, who is attempting to recruit senior players for the struggling club’s rebuild. If Kenny- Dowall i s found guilty, it could influence the club’s interest in him.
He could yet be stood down, a move that would open the door for out- of- sorts youngster Latrell Mitchell to return to first grade after he was dropped for the Roosters’ previous two games.
Roosters players were given several days off this week, with many of their teammates away on representative duty.
The club did not make comment on the issue yesterday except to acknowledge they were aware of the allegations against Kenny- Dowall.
Brisbane CEO and former police officer Paul White spoke about the game’s constant battle with off- field issues and illicit drugs, saying cocaine was widely available and accessible.
“It’s a constant risk,” he said. “Our players are wonderful athletes but they’re also risk- takers. The support you need to wrap around your players i s constant. That’s why you never reach the promised land with player behaviour. If you ever say you’ve solved that puzzle, you’re kidding yourself. Something is going to come your way very quickly.”
Kenny- Dowall was last year acquitted of domestic violence charges against his former girlfriend Jessica Peris.