Australian football commentator Simon Hill has slammed the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) for canceling their annual awards night due to financial difficulties.
Speaking on the ABC’s Offsiders program, Hill expressed astonishment and disappointment that the Dolan Warren gala evening, named after Matildas pioneer Julie Dolan and Socceroos great Johnny Warren, would not be held this year due to financial constraints.
‘It is football’s version of the Dally M’s [ NRL ] or the [ AFL ] Brownlow Medal,’ Hill said. ‘Clearly it is not happening due to lack of money…to see the APL struggling financially is a crying shame.’
Hill, renowned for his commentary during the Socceroos’ penalty shootout victory over Uruguay in Sydney, which secured Australia’s spot at the 2006 World Cup, went on to criticize the APL’s handling of the situation.
‘They [APL] need to stop the spin…they aren’t pulling the wool over our eyes as supporters,’ Hill added. ‘Why not [just] publicly say we can’t afford it? It is an event that is really important on the domestic football calendar…and isn’t being held due to lack of money…call it for what it is.’
The nephew of Socceroos legend Johnny Warren, Jamie Warren, expressed his profound disappointment with the decision to scrap the Dolan-Warren awards night, revealing that his family had not received any communication from the APL regarding the cancellation.
‘That’s one of the most disappointing things, the lack of communication. Uncle John has done so much for the game in the country, to make this call and not explain why is like a slap in the face,’ Jamie Warren told the Illawarra Mercury.
Previous winners of the Dolan Warren Awards include Matildas captain Sam Kerr, her teammate Emily van Egmond, and Socceroos skipper Mark Viduka.
While Daily Mail Australia reached out to the APL for comment, no response has been received at this time.
