The Football Federation of Australia is set to launch an investigation into alleged salary cap irregularities at Perth Glory covering the past three seasons.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The probe will include alleged discrepancies in the accommodation provisions for several players, including former England striker Robbie Fowler, who was at the club in the 2010-11 season.
The club's salary cap report for that season suggests the former multi-millionaire Liverpool superstar was flat-sharing with another player.
The review will also include a review of Perth's initial reporting of the current campaign.
Prompted by a Fairfax Media investigation into Perth Glory's salary cap declarations, Australian football's governing body will begin looking into the A-League club's accounts of past seasons after irregularities in their reporting were raised. It was revealed on Wednesday the league leaders and FFA Cup finalists had failed to declare player-agent fees, player accommodation and motor vehicle allowances in salary cap reports provided to the FFA.
The head of the A-League, Damien de Bohun, contacted the club on Wednesday to tell them of the FFA's actions.
"FFA has noted the allegations raised about Perth Glory and we've spoken to the club today," de Bohun said. "FFA is looking into these matters in line with the usual salary cap compliance practices."
The investigation threatens to overshadow Perth's best start to an A-League season, with the club sitting on top of the table after the first 10 games. Perth also reached the FFA Cup final, where they were defeated by Adelaide United on Tuesday night.
Pending findings, Perth could face disciplinary sanctions including but not limited to fines and point deductions.
At least $50,602 of player agent fees, mostly associated with standard contract negotiation work, was not represented on the 2012-13 A-League salary cap report submitted to the FFA on May 6,2013. Such payments are permitted but must be declared by the club in financial documents submitted throughout the course of the season.
Last season Perth Glory allocated numerous vehicles provided by sponsors and third parties to players. It is alleged the use fo the acrs may have been used as incentives to sign and retain players.
Perth also failed to declare accommodation costs provided by the club for some players throughout that period.
