Yesterday I mused over the possibly “why” for CONCACAF’s de-sanctioning of the Ottawa Fury FC, and the potential steps that could be taken to resolve the situation. In a rare move, CONCACAF issued a public statement in response to the Fury’s media campaign.
Here’s their stance:
As we can see, I was correct in my assumption that CONCACAF was taking the position of the Canadian Premier League being an “Equivalent League.”
However, it appears that I did make an error. I had thought the Ottawa Fury FC were already sanctioned to play in the USL in 2019 and that it had been revoked. This statement reveals that they did not have proper sanctioning to play, and that the “exceptional circumstances” which granted them the sanctioning in prior years no longer exists.
Thus, they were not de-sanctioned. Their special exception was not renewed for 2 reasons:
- Failure to ask for sanctioning in a timely manner.
- Failure to demonstrate the need for an exception to FIFA’s (and therefore CONCACAF, CSA, and USSF) rules.
As I mentioned yesterday, this serves as a pretty strong warning shot to other clubs in cross-border leagues. Duane Rollins took this one step further:
Duane Rollins, Canada Soccer News
With the CanPL buying L1O, there is speculation that the plan is to bring that model to all parts of the country. When that happens, you would expect that the existing D3 teams be asked to return to Canada. Anyone operating a D3 team now would be wise to plan ahead with this in mind.
This move by CONCACAF certainly serves as a warning shot to the remaining USL League Two teams.
Of greatest concern to me is the fate of Thunder Bay Chill, as League1 Ontario exists and has been considered an equivalent league in the past. Existing L1O teams do not want to have to travel to Thunder Bay, nor does the chill want to travel throughout Southern Ontario. It’s a long and expensive journey, which could threaten the stability of the league.
Fury slam the door on CPL
Yesterday I laid out 5 options for resolution of this issue. The one I felt was most likely involved CONCACAF granting Fury the exception to play in USL for 2019, and setting a strict deadline for the transfer to the Canadian Premier League.
Then Tony Marinaro, of TSN 690 Montreal, received a door-slamming response:
Mark Goudie just burned the CPL lifeline. With the Fury’s media-barrage against CONCACAF, they won’t be receiving any favours from them either. So what options remain?
I mentioned suing yesterday (Option A), but have done some more digging, and any disputes need to go through a FIFA Tribunal. FIFA has generally been hostile to cross-border leagues, which greatly weakens the Fury’s chances of success. Additionally, the tribunal is a very long and drawn-out process, which would effectively eliminate Ottawa Fury from playing in 2019. Fury’s likely loss at the tribunal would then effectively fold the team.
Begging for CPL’s forgiveness (Option B) is out, and thanks to Goudie’s antagonistic response to Marinaro’s question, so is negotiating a temporary reprieve from CONCACAF (Option D).
That leaves just two options. They can drop down and dominate the Quebec-based league, as their antagonism toward CPL would naturally exclude them from L1O as well (Option C). Or they can fold (Option E).
Another, albeit remote, option would be for Ottawa to move down to USL League One, forcing that league to tear-up the schedule they just released, and compete alongside TFC-II. Although once again, this would require CONCACAF to provide an exception to the standard rules, Ottawa would have a stronger footing to obtain that exception as there is no “equivalent league.”
I know which way I would like to see things play out, but we need to be realistic. In all likelihood, there will be no Ottawa Fury FC in 2019 or beyond. If OSEG sells the rights, we may see a return down the line, but this ownership group appears content to burn the bridges and blame it on everyone else.
Mourn the Fury
Today, I wear the original NASL Ottawa Fury FC jersey to mourn the loss of the team, much as I wore K-W United’s when they shuttered.
Truly, I hope I’m wrong.
I would say there is only a 10% chance there will be no Fury in 2019 why is say this is Soccer Canada etc is not wanting to come off to hard as it will hurt players and the game short and long term it also would hurt the Canadian League big time.
If the CSA were the one withholding sanctioning, I would be inclined to agree. CSA has granted it (as did USSF), it’s CONCACAF that has denied sanctioning at this point.
As it is right now, with OSEG violently saying they will not move to CPL in 2020, CONCACAF has no reason to reverse their decision. Their public attack on CONCACAF in the media certainly will not win them any allies at the governing body. I mean, CONCACAF actually issued a press release related to the sanctioning. They never do that, and to capitulate would be a very difficult move on their part at this point.
With what (little) we know right now, I’m calling a 60% chance of no Fury in 2019, and a 90% chance of no Fury in 2020, unless something dramatically changes. Whether it’s a funeral this year or next, the future does not look bright for the club.
It still has come off really bad for the CPL and CSA many people that have wanted a team have changed there mind and has created a lot of anger towards the CPL even if they hold no blame in this to add this is not the PR a new league really needs.
I absolutely agree, the optics are horrific and there will be long-lasting damage to pro-soccer in Ottawa. It is bad publicity for the CPL, and the CSA is made to look like they dropped the ball.
To those outside of Ottawa, both OSEG and CONCACAF appear to be bullies trying to force each other to do something. There’s always collateral damage in that situation, and it happens to be a premature black-eye for the CPL.
Outside of Ottawa, this will pass long-before kick-off, likely a couple days after the media-types (whether professional or volunteer), stop bringing it up. Within Ottawa, it will linger and likely delay the entry of any soccer team not called Fury.
I’m surprised some people are shocked with this present situation. After all the writing was on the wall all the way back in 2012/2013 when the James Easton report was accepted by the upper echelons of the soccer establishment in order to establish a new soccer structure. It all started in 2013 when the CSA (headed by Victor Montagliani) immediately de-sanctioned the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) just 3 months before commencement of season. In order to make way for CSA/OSA backed League1 Ontario. Followed by the pressure of forcing Southern Ontario PDL clubs to join the League1 Ontario. Now Ottawa is being bullied to join CPL by CONCACAF (headed by Victor Montagliani) in order to fully implement their interpretation of the James Easton report. Now with Montagliani in CONCACAF, and L1O as the official development league of the CPL the various domestic regional, and foreign leagues or clubs, who don’t conform to the CSA backed leagues or policy are going to face similar problems.