MEDIA RELEASE
EMBARGOED UNTIL MIDNIGHT THURSDAY JANUARY 28, 2010
The Australian Financial Review Magazine takes an inside look at Australia’s
high-stake bid to host the Soccer World Cup.
In an exclusive interview Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chairman, Frank
Lowy, reveals Australia’s strategies to win.
Australia’s bid is based on $45million in federal government funding and is run by a
team of international consultants. But it will be connections and relationships which
will probably get Australia over the line.
Lowy himself may be the bid’s biggest asset.
A relentless networker, he already boasts close relationships with several key FIFA
delegates including President Sepp Blatter.
Threats to Australia’s bid are not limited to rival nations. Our other football codes
here are challenging it because a local World Cup threatens to disrupt their seasons
with loss of access to stadiums and jeopardise million dollar broadcasting rights.
As decision day draws closer, pressure is mounting – particularly from Europe - on
Frank Lowy and his associates at the FFA to remain frontrunners in the World Cup
bidding war.
About The AFR Magazine
Since its launch in 1995, The AFR Magazine has maintained its impeccable
reputation for incisive editorial on the most important trends in business, politics,
travel, design, fashion and the arts. The AFR Magazine is published on the last
Friday of every month in The Australian Financial Review.
The Financial Review Group is part of Fairfax Media Limited, Australasia's largest
newspaper publishing group.
For more information on this release, please contact:
John Stensholt
Financial Review Group
655 Collins Street
Docklands, Victoria 3008
Telephone: (03) 9603 3327
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