Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with Basil Scarsella

Diegos Profile:                                   

Former Chairman of Soccer Australia and President of the Oceania Confederation.

Diegos Verdict:                                  

Basil graduated from the school hard knocks, chronic mismanagement and insolvency at Soccer Australia to run the Pacific school of hard knocks, chronic mismanagement and insolvency at the Oceania Confederation in 2000.

The Diegos reckon ‘Baz’ just couldn’t wait to jump out of the frying pan and into Charlie Dempsey’s nursing home to sink his teeth into real issues like direct qualification for Oceania to future World Cups, winning the rights to the 2090 World Cup and deciding which Hawaiian shirt he should buy for Sepp Blatter as a gift when they rub noses at the next FIFA conference.

‘Baz’ the Diegos weren’t confident that the Hawaiian shirt would swing direct qualification vote our way….and unfortunately we were right.

Scarsella on the Oceania vote…

Diegos: "Basil, you know you can run but you can't hide.

Grass skirt or no grass skirt, it doesn't matter where you go in world football you know the Diegos will track you down in a bid to keep you honest?"

Scarsella: “Now that's a real worry"

Diegos: "Congratulations on your appointment.  It was touch and go there for a while though.

Apparently when it seemed that you had the numbers, the bizarre world of Oceania football politics kicked in with a number of your competitors refusing to turn up to the election meeting hence the absence of a chorum and the subsequent delay in the vote.

Charlie Demspey's decision to abstain in the voting for the 2006 World cup, tells us a little about the strange behaviour that goes on in the OFC at times.

Amidst this saga, were you ever worried that you were going to miss out on the presidency?"

Scarsella: "Now guys that's all in the past. I reckon we should look to the future. I can guarantee that that's not going to happen again - famous last words no doubt.

I was never super-confident of an Australian becoming president of Oceania. Unfortunately our reputation in the region is not as good as it could be. This is as a result of Australian football not doing the right thing in this region over the last 25 - 30 years in terms of helping the countries develop.

My predecessors have been, more often than not, in conflict with the Oceania administration. So it was never a done deal. At the end of the day my election as the president of Oceania is a reflection of the progress that Australian soccer has made. I certainly don't see it as a personal accolade. It's an accolade that should go to Australian soccer.

We are on a trial in the next couple of years. We've got to prove to the other ten island countries that Australia is serious about helping the region develop its football."

Soft Sombrero Moment January 2001

Scarsella on Australia staging the World Cup…

Diegos: "We all know what the staging of the World Cup would do to the development of the game in Australia and the Oceania region.

President of FIFA, Sepp Blatter has said on visits to this country that we are quite capable of staging one but when he leaves, after having his fill of meat pies and VB, the enthusiasm appears to wane.

Is it a reality that this region will get to host a World cup in 2010 or 2014 and is to lobby for one a priority of yours?"

Scarsella: "The first priority is that we get an automatic spot in the World cup for 2006 and beyond.

President Blatter has made public statements that in 2006 that is what in fact is going to happen. So my first priority is to make sure he keeps the public commitment that he has made.

In relation to this region and specifically Australia, staging the World cup, I think if anybody had any doubts about our capability, with respect to this, they would've been dispelled by our hosting of the Olympic Games in 2000.

The facilities, the organization and the public support were excellent, so there is no question that we can hold a World cup. When that's going to happen is really the $64,000 question, in that Blatter has said that he is keen to have a rotation of the World cup between the Confederations but what he is not clearly specifying is how the rotation is going to happen.

Some confederations are arguing that rotation is happening now but basically the rotation is Europe, South America and now and again Asia or the United States.

To some people that's rotation but that's not my definition of rotation.

In terms of the World cup, clearly 2006 is in Germany, 2010, I'd expect South Africa will put their hand up again, so we are talking 2014 or 2018 before Oceania, in my realistic view, is a serious contender."

Soft Sombrero Moment January 2001

Scarsella on moving on just in the nick of time…

Diegos: "There's a climate of rebellion in Australian soccer at the moment.

Players, former politicians, media and fans have been quite vociferous in their condemnation of Soccer Australia and the way the game has been administered.

The upcoming election for the chairmanship of Soccer Australia, together with the proposed revamp of the NSL next season has set up a powder keg situation that's ready to explode.

With the punters baying for blood the timing has been impeccable for you to slip on the lay and grass skirt and go island hopping.

Are you quietly happy that you've moved on just in the nick of time?"

Scarsella: "No I'm not really.

The timing is interesting. I'm not sure how much of the criticism aimed at determining whom my successor will be, is realistic. It's interesting that everybody is jumping on the bandwagon of the reform of the NSL when that's exactly where we are heading.

So when considering my timing, I think that there is a tinge sadness on my part because I think the next year is going to be a great year for Australian soccer.

The decisions that we've made over the last couple of years will all bear fruit in 2001.

Look at what's expected to happen. The restructure of the league is absolutely necessary. We can't keep on having the situation where clubs struggle to survive from one year to the next. We'll qualify for the World cup in 2002. We're playing in a Confederation cup in Korea / Japan in May / June and then we have the Under 17 and Under 20's World cup with Angie Postecoglou leading the boys.

I would've loved to have been involved and continued to be chairman of Soccer Australia but whoever succeeds me as chairman, I have no doubt, will do a pretty good job."

Soft Sombrero Moment January 2001

Scarsella on the future of Aussie soccer…

Diegos: "With clubs going into administration, no NSL naming rights sponsor, little or no marketing and promotion of the game and virtually no free to air TV coverage, the soccer fraternity is calling for a clean sweep at Soccer Australia - out with the old and in with the new.

With so little faith in the current administration, is it time for wholesale change?"

Scarsella: "Let's put it all into perspective.

To be fair to the current administration and to be fair to me as chairman, when this administration took over Soccer Australia were $ 3 million in debt, with question marks over whether we could field an Under 17 and Under 20 Australia team because we simply didn't have the money to fund the preparation.

 We are now in a position were the preparation for the national teams cannot be questioned.

The funds are there and we are in the black. Therefore on an international stage there has been a complete turnaround. We've moved into an era of employing excellent young local coaches for our national teams headed by Frank Farina.

As far as the National league is concerned, we always said in our strategic plan, that the NSL must be restructured. So for the critics to come out now and demand that the league be restructured, well they are simply jumping on the bandwagon.

To do what we planned, firstly we needed the funds, which we've now got.

Secondly, we needed to consult with the clubs to try and avoid legal challenges to the revamp.

We put a plan out three years ago that we followed, with the only change being the delaying of the restructure by one year. That is the only change. If anyone takes the time to look at our plan, a plan that was publicly endorsed by our stakeholders three years ago, they would discover that we've delivered what was promised.

I think it's dangerous to react to criticism that comes from people with self-interest.

These people criticize but they provide no solutions that are different to what we have already come up with. It's easy to criticize but give me an alternative.

Three years ago we had no money to market the game if that's a criticism. We've had the politicians involved in the game before and they haven't delivered. More are coming out now, getting the publicity they are looking for but offering nothing new. That's why I simply ignore their criticism."

Soft Sombrero Moment January 2001

Scarsella on Labbo slamming our Jeff and our Robbie…

Diegos: "Soccer Australia chairmanship hopeful, Tony Labbozetta has slammed both Jeff Kennett and Socceroo legend, Robbie Slater for their comments about the state of the game in this country.

What's your view?"

Scarsella: "I don't slam anybody. Everybody has got the right to express his or her opinion.

Certainly Jeff Kennett has got every right to express his view and if the media want to run with it, that's their prerogative.

As far as Robbie Slater is concerned, I think that it is unacceptable for a player to criticize the organization he is employed by.

We currently have a good example in cricket. We had Mark Waugh who publicly said that he wasn't prepared to meet the ICC investigator over dealings with bookmakers. The ACB simply wrote him a letter and told him if he didn't meet with him he would not be playing for Australia."

Diegos: " Basil, surely an Australian cricketer allegedly dealing with a dodgy Pakistani bookmaker in a sport that has been rife with match-fixing in return for money and prostitutes, is different to Robbie Slater saying publicly what the majority of the punters in this country are thinking, solely for the good of the game? His comments don't appear to be sponsored and the Diegos spies tell us that he has not been seen entertaining disreputable women of the night recently…."

Scarsella: "No that's right but let me make my point.

It is not different because in every other sport the players are not allowed to come out and criticize the administration that actually pays his wages.

There are a lot of people who have invested a lot of money - LG Electronics, Qantas and others - in Australian soccer and I think it is unacceptable for a player who is part of the organization, to come out and put that in jeopardy. That's the very point that we are trying to avoid.

If Robbie Slater wasn't a player and he wasn't in the organization, then he is clear to express his views as Jeff Kennett is but he is involved and he should not be criticizing the organization that employs him. End of story."

Soft Sombrero Moment January 2001

Scarsella on Soccer Australia’s financial position…

Diegos: "It wasn't so long ago that Soccer Australia's financial position was so precarious that you were almost forced to dust off the old piano accordion and busk in Glenelg mall to meet the shortfall of funds.

But in the last 12 months there has been a big financial turn around with Australian soccer - millions of dollars in the black and you singing 'I'm in the money' at every opportunity.

Are you pleased with the turnaround and more importantly how are we going to spend our newfound wealth?"

Scarcella:" Twelve months ago, I said that we were 2.7 million dollars in the red and, thus far, we have recovered more than half of that. I also said that, by September 2000, we would be in the black.

We are still on track towards achieving that goal but we can’t get carried away, we’ve still got a long way to go. Anyway I hear that you Diegos are raking in the money. You guys might have to start bankrolling Australian soccer and giving away some of that wealth."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2000

Scarsella on Soccer 21 or should that be Soccer 22???

Diegos: "It seems that the Soccer 21 - NSL revamp will now have to be renamed Soccer 22 with news that the proposed restructure may well be delayed for 12 months.

You have been quoted as saying that if the planned restructure doesn't go ahead next season we run the risk of having a 'lame duck' league that won't be able to reap the benefits that the Olympics can bring.

Are you still concerned about the delay in the implementation of the plan?

Scarcella:" Come on guys. It's still going to be called Soccer 21. I can assure you that the reforms will definitely take place this century.

Everybody accepts that the reform of the National League must happen because we need to improve its appeal to the corporate world, to commercial television and to the general public. However, we need to ensure that the game does not tear itself apart, which has been known to happen, in the process of this reform.

At this point, all we are doing is listening to the clubs’ different viewpoints. For many of them, the issue revolves around the timing rather than the actual reform.

If timing is a concern, we are prepared to listen to the arguments but we also need to ensure that the reform does happen.  The decision to delay has not been made.  We are currently engaging in discussions with the clubs to ensure a compromise, a way forward.

At this stage, the Board has made one decision only and that is to reform the League for 2000 - 2001. If there is a compromise regarding delay, it must ensure that reform does happen and that it happens in an amicable way.

At this stage, no final decision has been made but one thing is certain, the Clubs are not arguing against the reform; it is more a question of the timing of it."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2000

Scarsella on the state of the game…

Diego: “What are the key problems in soccer?  Where do we need to improve?”

Scarcella: “We need to improve at every level. Let’s start at junior level. We need to make sure that we have the infrastructure that is, grounds, club and school facilities, in place in order to cater for the boom at junior level.

We also need to improve at state, national and international league levels. Clearly, the challenge this year is to attain a medal at the Olympic Games. Immediately following that will concentrate on qualifying for the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2000

Scarsella on the Football Kingz…

Diegos: "Soccer Australia took a big punt admitting the Auckland Kings into the NSL this season. Their on field performances have been solid but off field, a cash flow crisis and an inability to keep the plane door closed on away trips have haunted our 'sheep rearing' friends.

Are the boys at Soccer Australia now having second thoughts about the benefits of having the New Zealand team in the competition?

Scarcella:" No, we’re not having second thoughts but you are correct, they have had some financial problems. 

I think part of the reason is that it has taken a lot longer than they had expected to finalize the ownership structure and the sponsorship structure. Now that SKY TV, from New Zealand, has come on board, I would expect the financial situation to settle down.

The bigger issue is whether FIFA will continue to approve the participation of Auckland in an overseas national league. They have a two-year approval to compete in Australia but, at this stage, there is no certainty that that will continue."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2000

Scarsella on the World Club Championships…

Diegos: "South Melbourne's appearance at the World Club Championship made us all proud and a little relieved that we weren't embarrassed by some of the world's best teams.

What benefits have flowed on to Aussie soccer from South's appearance in the cup and how have Soccer Australia tried to cash in on their history making performance?"

Scarcella:" That is an interesting question and to answer it fully, I need to address the need for a second division. 

The need for a second division is to create an incentive for state league clubs to be able to go on to the second division and first division in order to experience true promotion and relegation.

The fact that the World Club Championship was played this year clearly provides an incentive for our National League Clubs to, first of all, win the National Championship; secondly, to become Champions of Oceania; and finally, to play against the best clubs in the world. Aside from the money, the incentive and the competition that the World Club Championships create is an incentive for every National League Club in Australia to pursue that ultimate goal.

It should be no different for any young person who goes off to play in the Olympic Games or the World Cup. For South Melbourne, their performance, both on and off the park, was outstanding and they did an excellent job in representing this country against the best in the world.

Young kids should aspire to an event like that through playing for an Australian Club."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2000

Scarsella on the politics surrounding Australia’s World Cup qualifying path…

Diegos: “You’ve recently returned from a ‘Swatch watch and Swiss Alp’ tour of FIFA in Switzerland, where you tabled a quite radical and audacious proposal to Sepp and the boys, mapping Australia’s preferred route to the World Cup.

Can you tell us a little about the proposal and what hurdles are we facing to get the world governing body to adopt the idea?”

Scarcela: “My overseas trip involved discussions with FIFA and the English FA, specifically about Australia’s World Cup qualifying path. One of the problems that we’ve got and that we’ve had for a long time, is that we only really play one meaningful international every four years, a playoff type game against Iran and in the past, Argentina and Scotland.

What we are trying to do is to get more competition. Our view is that if we are required to play in a playoff cup-tie against a South American team, then we would rather be part of the South American group and play home and away against the other 10 nations in that group.

That would mean of course, playing the likes of Brazil, Argentina and Chile. In brief that is the plan. Our first option is certainly, to get direct qualification to the World Cup through Oceania. Unfortunately the chance of this occurring is remote.”

Diegos: “Why South America? Shouldn’t we be lobbying to play in Asia?”

Scarsella: "That was also part of the discussions we had. At the end of the day, the FIFA executive decides where the winner of Oceania will play.

Our preference, if we can’t convince them to give us direct qualification, is to play through Asia.

Whatever it’s going to be, whether it’s Asia or South America, we want to be part of a full qualifying round rather than the one-off type games that we have been subjected to in the last 12 years or so.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Scarsella on giving gifts for votes…

Diegos: “What strategy are you using to convince FIFA that we should be playing through South America? Have you thought about adopting the infamous “Gifts for Votes” approach that certain IOC delegates have enjoyed in the past? No doubt an all expenses paid, ‘Museum, Art Gallery and Table top dancing’ night out on the town in Oxford street in Sydney or King street in Melbourne will surely, swing a couple of votes our way?”

Scarsella: “You guys might be right, but given our financial situation, l don’t think we are in the position to offer gifts to anyone. That is certainly not an option that we are considering. We want to stay as clean as possible.”

Diegos: “Not even a couple of free tickets to a Marconi dinner dance?”

Scarsella: “Well I suppose that’s not a bad ploy to use if we had to.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Scarsella on Australia’s voice at FIFA…

Diegos: “When you entered the cigar puffing, caviar munching inner sanctum at FIFA as the representative of Aussie soccer, did feel that your concerns were given a genuine hearing and were you in any position to flex your muscle on a matter such as this one?”

Scarcela: “I must say that once l walked in there and had a white coffee with no sugar, the reception could not have been better.

We are regarded as friends by FIFA and they regard Australia as critical in the future development of Oceania. Can we flex our muscle? I think flexing our muscle probably doesn’t work in the long run but the discussion l had with Sepp Blatter was certainly very positive.

He understands our problem and he has asked us to put in a submission via our confederation, to be tabled at FIFA’s next meeting scheduled in March.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Scarsella on Aussie kiddies being pressured not to play for the Socceroos…

Diegos: “Some disturbing news that we received over the Four Diegos fax recently, was that overseas clubs are pressuring our kids to play international soccer for another country rather than Australia.

They apparently see it as a way of eliminating the problem of losing the player over an extended period when called up for Socceroo duty, due to Australia’s geographical isolation.

Is this a problem you also brought to FIFA’s notice?”

Scarsella: “There are a number of problems in that issue ranging from how do we keep the players here, which is the most important thing, to once they go overseas, how do we make sure that the players, if selected to play for Australia are in fact, allowed to return.

To the news that Leeds United in the UK is encouraging our players not to play for Australia, my response is that l hope Leeds doesn’t pick up many of our players. In terms of what we can do, at the end of the day, an individual player must retain his choice of whom he wants to play for.

Not even Leeds can force a young Aussie not to play for Australia. They can’t contract players on that basis. But there is no clear-cut solution. The only thing that must be maintained is that the individual must always have a choice.

In the meantime we must provide an environment in Australia that encourages players to want to come back and represent this country as often as possible.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Scarsella on the next Socceroo coach…

Diegos: “Basil as you know, we are a worldwide entity. We have many correspondents throughout the globe, one of which spotted you wining and dining some well-known European soccer celebrities.

These weren’t informal interviews for the Socceroo job were they?”

Scarsella: “I’m not sure which country your talking about but l assure you that our coach will come from a very large country, even as large as Australia.”

Diegos: “So our Maltese correspondent is wrong.”

Scarsella: “Our relations with Malta are very, very good. One day we should play their national team.”

Diegos: “With the Socceroos scheduled to play a number of internationals this year, has the appointment of a Socceroo coach become a priority?”

Scarsella: “The games haven’t yet been formally announced.

There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to try and arrange quality games for the national team. The Socceroo job will be filled sometime in the second half of 1999. How quickly it’s filled will certainly be influenced by the number of games we get.

But at this stage the plan will remain as l have explained it previously.”

Diegos: “Basil, the Four Diegos have conducted a very informal poll on who should be our next Socceroo coach.  The popular picks so far have been Carlton coach, Eddie Krncevic, Sydney United coach, David Mitchell, America’s most famous other woman, Monica Lewinsky, Diego Maradona and the disgraced, Glen Hoddle.

What do you think of some of those nominations?

Scarcella: "What about Bill Clinton?"

Diegos:  “Unfortunately, he is a bit tied up at the moment. Some say in more ways than one.”

Scarsella: “I think you have some excellent nominations on that list. Only time will tell though. I guess the latest addition is Hoddle, but I’m not sure that we are going to be rushing to appoint him.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Scarsella on taking over from David Hill…

Diegos: "Congratulations on your appointment Basil. You had to run a campaign virtually parallel to the Federal election.

As you were conducting your shopping mall tours trying to win support, kissing babies and shaking hands - did anyone yell out - Basil for PM along the way?"

Scarsella: "They must have done, but l must say that l didn't hear them. I was more worried about the soccer rather than the politics."

Diegos: "Did you have to go out and convince people that you were the man for the job or were you thrust into the position?"

Scarcela: "I have got to say that I’m not a very good politician, that's really not my scene. I've been deputy chairman to David Hill for the last three and a half years and l guess the stakeholders of soccer throughout the country saw what l was doing and must have liked what they saw, because they were pretty keen, when David decided to resign, to ask me to stand for the chairman's role.

After some thought l decided to take it on. I've been involved in soccer for a long time, pretty much at all levels and I've got young kids that keep me honest, so l thought l possessed a pretty good background to contribute something to the game."

Diegos: "Did David give you any tips, given that he has gone on to campaign for bigger and better things?"

Scarsella: "No, David and l had a pretty good relationship but l think he was so busy trying to win his seat of Hughes that he wasn't to worried about soccer towards the end of his reign as chairman."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1998

Scarsella on his leadership style and goalkeeping…

Diegos: "Now the Four Diegos research department tells us that you were quite a handy goalkeeper in your playing days.

What goalkeeping qualities are you going to bring to the job that will allow you to cope with it more effectively?

Will you parry away the media like you would parry a 30-metre drive? Will you employ time wasting tactics when the pressures on? Will you whinge to the referee when someone challenges you in the boardroom?"

Scarcela: "Gees I'll probably be doing all of those things! That's an interesting question. Often the characteristics you display in sport are reflected in business in some form or another. The sort of qualities that I’m hoping to bring to the chairmanship include reliability and stability.

The game needs a consensus chairman who can nurture unity and financial stability. So, if you relate it to the skills of a goalkeeper, if you can get stability and reliability, l reckon you're in business."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1998

Scarsella on strategy…

Diegos: "At The Four Diegos School of Languages, we've done some research and have discovered that your surname means 'pocket'.

What we need to know is, what's in your back pocket, what's up your sleeve, and what magic are you going to bring to Aussie soccer? Consider this a second job interview by the way!"

Scarsella:  "Its news to me that 'Scarcela' means back pocket. You learn something new every day.

What's in my back pocket? You look across the country - is the game united? The answer? Absolutely not!

What are we going to do to get the game united? I think we've had a pretty good start over the last month with all the state federations coming together.

There's a mood of cooperation that l have never seen in the game before. Just imagine if we could capture the 600,000 people who play the game in this country, plus their families - suddenly you have millions of people who are interested in the game, millions of people that the corporate world could have access to. Back pocket?

I think getting the game together, working together, getting the corporate world realizing the potential that is in the game, and l think all of us, and the game especially, will benefit from it."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1998

Scarsella on that costly Confederations Cup loss…

Diegos: "The loss against New Zealand in the Oceania Cup was described by Mike Cockerill of The Age in Melbourne, as Pathetic, Bumbling, Stumbling & the Socceroo's worst performance ever.

The loss cost the code here in Australia some much-needed money. You've had time to reflect on the game - what are your thoughts?"

Scarsella: "Not a good start was it? I was hoping you weren't going to ask about that.

Clearly, when you look at the events of the World Cup qualifiers against Iran in November, and you look at the Oceania Cup final, financially it certainly cost us.

More importantly though, we are going miss out on comparing ourselves to the best in the world in the Confederations Cup. For me that is the saddest part of what happened.

Why did it happen? Well there are lots of experts in hindsight, but we embarked on a strategy in relation to qualifying for the Confederation Cup by using home based players, in full support of Raul Blanco, the national coach. Why did we do that?  We wanted to give the locally based players the opportunity to gain some international experience.

We also wanted to be fair to the overseas-based players in terms of bringing them back for a month and therefore missing four or five games in the European season. You take all these things into account - we believe we were justified in using Australian based players. In the end it didn't work but anybody can lose a cup final."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1998

Scarsella on genesis of the Northern Spirit…

 Diegos:  "Northern Spirit's first game versus Sydney Olympic attracted a great crowd of approximately 19,000 people.

This must be really pleasing for you?"

Scarcela: "Delighted! I think the Ericsson cup for the 1998/ 99 season, is shaping up to be one of the best seasons ever. We've had some interesting developments in the national league.

Northern Spirit is one. In its first game it attracted 19,000 people, that's an excellent turn out. Clearly they provided the product and people came. I'm sure they will continue to provide the right product both on and off the pitch that will attract the people consistently.

Private investment is coming into the national league and it is adding a new dimension to the game. Northern Spirit, early days but great. Perth Glory, two seasons in the league and they are attracting average crowds of 15,000 people and they haven't qualified for the finals yet. When they do, I'm sure those crowds will grow to 20,000. Really, those two clubs have set the benchmarks. The others must follow otherwise they are going to be left behind. That's the challenge for the other 13 clubs."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1998