The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) has confirmed that Chief Executive Officer, Ben Buckley, has announced he will step down from his role at the conclusion of negotiations of the FFA’s new broadcast deal in about two months.

 

The FFA has also confirmed that David Gallop, the former CEO of the National Rugby League and Australian Rugby League Commission, has been appointed to replace Mr Buckley.

 

Chairan of the FFA, Frank Lowy, said that Mr Buckley had first raised the prospect of departing from the FFA a number of months ago, but both men had agreed that the conclusion of the broadcast deal was the ‘logical time to make a career move’.

 

“The broadcast deal is at the heart of the future of football in this country and it has been the most critical aspect of my work for the past 18 months,” Buckley said.

 

“I told the Chairman some time ago I was determined to negotiate the best possible deal to underpin the future growth of the game but that once done I would like to work with he and the board to identify a successor.”

 

Mr Lowy said Buckley had discussed Gallop with him about two months ago. Buckley had contacted Gallop soon after he had left the NRL and had discussed possible opportunities at FFA.

 

“These discussions created the opportunity for us to consider Gallop as a successor to Ben,” Mr Lowy said.