Chris Nikou

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Chris Nikou is the current chairman of Football Federation Australia and an Australian lawyer.

Contents

Career

Football

Nikou's interest in football began as a player in a local suburban competition in Melbourne. He gradually gained influence in football after he was appointed as a Director of Football Federation Victoria (served from 2003 – 2008). In 2011, he became Company Secretary of A-League club Melbourne Victory (from April 2011 – October 2014).

Nikou was elected Chairman of Football Federation Australia in November 2018. [1] He had served as a Director of Football Federation Australia since 2014.

Previously, Nikou was a member of the organising committee for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup held in Australia. [2]

During 2018, Nikou was a member of the Congress Review Working Group set up at the request of FIFA to resolve an impasse in governance reforms at Football Federation Australia. [3]

Cricket

From 2011 to 2018, Nikou was a director of the Melbourne cricket club, the Melbourne Renegades, an Australian professional Twenty20 cricket club. They compete in Australia's Twenty20 cricket competitions, the Big Bash League and the WBBL. Nikou committed to resign from the Melbourne Renegades if re-elected to the board of Football Federation Australia. [4]

Football Federation Australia

Nikou was elected Chairman of Football Federation Australia in November 2018 and became the first Chairman of FFA who was not a member of the Lowy family. [5] [6] The new Chairman promised a more responsive governing body for football in Australia. [7] [8] As promised, [9] Nikou announced the two new A-League expansion clubs to join the competition in 2019 and 2020, just one month after becoming FFA Chairman. [10] The Canberra & Capital Region was again passed over, but Nikou singled out Canberra as a future expansion location. [11] [12] [13]

In January 2019, Nikou announced the termination of contract for Alen Stajcic the coach of the Australian women's team. [14] This announcement has been controversial. [15]

Nikou has been nominated for a position on the Executive Committee of the Asian Football Confederation. [16] [17] Chris Nikou, was elected on a four-year term, the second Australian ever to serve on the Executive Committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). [18] [19]

In the early part of 2019, Nikou and the new Football Federation Australia Board have been actively addressing a number of controversial issues in Australian football. [20] [21] The National Club Identity Policy will be replaced. [22] Australia's position in the Asian Football Confederation has been discussed, [23] including support of the current leadership. [24] The bid to host the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup has been confirmed. [25] [26] [27] Issues surrounding facilities, commercial arrangements, and independence of the A-League competition are under consideration. [28] In July 2019, it was announced that the national competitions would be independent and move to a body controlled by the clubs. [29]

In August 2019, Nikou announced plans to establish an official heritage committee to help preserve Australia's football history. [30]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Chris Nikou elected FFA's chair as the post-Lowy era begins". ABC News. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  2. ↑ Reporter; Reporter (1 June 2012). "Middletons partner appointed to Football Cup Board". www.lawyersweekly.com.au. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  3. ↑ "FFA concerns rejected in ugly standoff". Tweed Daily News. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  4. ↑ Rugari, Vince (19 November 2018). "Nikou draws 'line in the sand' after ascending to FFA's top job". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  5. ↑ "Who is Chris Nikou, new FFA chairman, quotes, football experience". Fox Sports. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  6. ↑ "Nikou elected chair of Football Federation Australia". ESPN.com. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  7. ↑ "Fans come first: FFA seeking better relationship with fans". Chronicle. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  8. ↑ Warren, Adrian (19 November 2018). "New FFA chair Chris Nikou ready to listen". The Courier.
  9. ↑ "A-League expansion first order of business for new FFA chair Nikou". The World Game. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  10. ↑ "A-League expansion: New teams, second division announcement, Lucy Zelic reacts". www.news.com.au. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  11. ↑ "A-League expansion announcement, new teams, Western Melbourne Group, Macarthur South-West Sydney, fixtures". Fox Sports. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  12. ↑ Gavel, Tim. "This one hurts the most: Canberra misses out on securing an A-League licence again". The RiotACT. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  13. ↑ Dutton, Chris (13 December 2018). "'This isn't the end': Canberra A-League bid refuses to die after snub". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  14. ↑ "Alen Stajcic sacked in Matildas coaching bombshell: Shock over 'disgrace'". www.news.com.au. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  15. ↑ Holmes, Tracey (27 January 2019). "Sacking Matildas coach Stajcic 'the right decision' says FFA boss". ABC News. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  16. ↑ "FFA Chairman Chris Nikou nominated for AFC Executive Committee". Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  17. ↑ "Candidate List 2019". Archived from the original on 3 March 2019.
  18. ↑ "FFA Chair Chris Nikou Elected To AFC Executive Committee". Ministry of Sport. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  19. ↑ "FFA Chair Chris Nikou elected to AFC Executive Committee". Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  20. ↑ "FFA Board: the first 100 days | FootballToday.news". footballtoday.news. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  21. ↑ "Exclusive: Chris Nikou talks to ESPN about re-engaging Australia's fractured football community". ESPN.com. 13 May 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  22. ↑ "Football Federation Australia announces changes to National Club Identity Policy". Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  23. ↑ "Australia can still strengthen 'fragile' Asian status". The World Game. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  24. ↑ "PFA slams FFA support of controversial AFC boss". The World Game. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  25. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup: Australia's bid to host 2023 World Cup, expressions of interest, FIFA, Matildas, AFC". Fox Sports. 13 March 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  26. ↑ "NSW Government backs Australia's FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 bid". MyFootball. 30 July 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  27. ↑ "Bidding Process". FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ Bid. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  28. ↑ Bossi, Dominic (15 March 2019). "State of the game: FFA's task to fix Australian football". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  29. ↑ "FFA reaches in-principle agreement for independent A-League". The Roar. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  30. ↑ "Australia's rich football history to be honoured by new FFA heritage committee". www.msn.com. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
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