SYDNEY (AP) — Incoming Football Federation Australia chairman Chris Nikou has called for unity in the national game after winning an election Monday to replace Steven Lowy.
Governance issues, the agenda for an expanded A-League and divisions over a promotion-relegation system in the national top flights created tensions between the FFA leadership and the game's support base in the last 12 months. It prompted the resignation of Lowy, who had taken over from his father, founding FFA chairman Frank Lowy, in 2015 as head of Australian soccer's governing body.
Nikou was one of four new board members elected Monday at the FFA's annual general meeting. Heather Reid was selected as deputy chairman.
"It's time for everyone to get in the boat and row together," he said. "We need to galvanize the football community and share with them what our vision is."
Expansion next year of the 10-team A-League was his main priority for next season, Nikou said.
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