Football Federation Australia Looks to Strengthen Ties with Asia

Football Federation Australia has extended its ties with Asia with the Hyundai A-League contemplating the implementation of a designated Asian only visa position.

Speaking to Fairfax Media, capsule FFA CEO David Gallop, ed cheap has said the time is right to capitalise on Shinji Ono’s impact in the competition.

“By 2020, it’s estimated there will be 400 million people playing football in Asia. We are part of that. Football can help the nation build political and economic ties with Asia. The A-League would benefit from fostering opportunities for Asian players,” he told Fairfax Media.

“The details would need fine tuning and discussing with the clubs, but having a spot for an Asian player definitely fits with our strategic direction.”

“Our links with Asia are important, and when Shinji goes it will be disappointing to have lost our only star player from Asia,” he said.

Any change is unlikely to be implemented for next season though, as clubs will have foreign players already contracted.

“It might take some time given the existing rules for visa places, which are for five foreign players, but it is definitely worth exploring,” he said.