Writer's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that former Quebec Soccer Federation president Dino Madonis prefers Rob Newman over Victor Montagliani in the CSA presidential race. This is wrong, and the mistake was entirely my fault. My sincerest apologies to Mr. Madonis and Mr. Montagliani.
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Finally we can reveal the three candidates for the position of CSA president. While the Canadian Soccer Association has still made no official announcement, Canadian Soccer News has confirmed – and reconfirmed – the three candidates are (alphabetically):
- President Dominique Maestracci
- Vice president Victor Montagliani
- Vice president Rob Newman
The election will be held the first weekend of May, at the upcoming Canadian Soccer Association AGM.
Canada’s provinces and territories vote proportionally, based on the total amount of registration fees raised last year. The CSA has still not released the exact voting percentages of each jurisdiction, but we know that Ontario and Quebec each control a maximum share – 25% of the total vote.
If Canada’s two biggest provinces agree on a candidate, that man will need only one other vote – from any other province, territory, pro team, pro league or player rep – to become president.
And now – thanks to a revealing interview conducted en Français by CSN’s Phillipe Germain – we know how Quebec intends to vote.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Quebec Soccer Federation president Martial Prud’homme has said sitting president Dominique Maestracci is his first choice -- and Newman is their second.
I’m just going to run all the main quotes, then backfill with commentary. (All quotes are Germain’s translations.)
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Dino Madonis, former QSF president
“It’s a slippery ground. One is strong in governance (Newman), one is strong in technical and competition aspects (Montagliani) and one has done an excellent job in terms of relationship between the CSA and CONCACAF, FIFA and the Government of Canada. He did a terrific job.”
“I believe the CSA is doing great right now with Dominic at the helm, it’s up to provincial presidents to decide what’s next”
Martial Prudhomme, current Quebec Soccer Federation president
“There are only three candidates and one being our former FSQ president who is the incumbent after over four years in position. He (Maestracci) seems to be the best candidate to be a bridge between the old way of doing things with the new.”
“Mr Maestracci is really strong with communications and outside relations for the CSA. He believes in the current reform and I think that his vice-president helps him fill (any gap there might be).”
“The Quebec Federation’s executive is behind Dominic Maestracci’s bid for the first ballot. In the second round, if we have the choice between someone who presents himself as a PhD in soccer (Montagliani) and the champion of governance reform (Newman). Newman has an interesting perspective that I like.”
“The way the provinces are made up, we can decide together with Ontario (who will be the next president). If Ontario decides to support someone other than Maestracci, I'm certain there will be a second ballot."
“Ontario is looking for someone to give the CSA a deep influence, not only superficial, technical and at the sports level. It’s about the organization and the professionalism and I believe personally that if Ontario does not support Maestracci, they’ll go for Newman.”
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Okay. Here are some implications:
- The Maestracci thing:
There is, of course, no surprise that Quebec would back native son Maestracci on the first ballot. There remains significant concern, however, both within Metcalfe Street and throughout the Canadian game, that a second term for Maestracci would send an awkward mixed message about real reform in this country – particularly to the still-anonymous folks who are being recruited for three appointed positions on the CSA board.
Maestracci’s leadership has come under fire, particularly on the mismanaged Alberta front. Yes, reform is happening on his watch, but how much of it is him?
The QSF is clearly content and unconcerned, and that gets the sitting president halfway to re-election.
- The Ontario thing:
Two or three weeks ago, a rumour emerged that Ontario Soccer Association president Ron Smale had agreed to back Maestracci. It was a strange rumour, not just for its content, but for the odd, untraceable way it emerged.
So I got Smale on the phone, and he said the OSA board, not the president, will decide how Canada’s largest province will vote. All three candidates are being given the chance to appear before Ontario’s 28 board members, and make their pitch. A vote will be held at the OSA AGM – one week before the CSA election.
Without mentioning the rumour – which was and remains unconfirmed – I asked him directly about Maestracci.
“I’d like us to be focused on issues,” he responded. “It’s becoming very political, as you can see and as you know. What are the priorities for Canadian soccer moving forward? And with that, we make sure that we’ve got the right people leading the organization.”
That’s either a non-denial denial, or a simple affirmation that the board, not the president, will seal this deal.
It doesn’t close the door, however. If Ontario does back Maestracci, only one other vote is needed – and the Montreal Impact have exactly one vote.
Whatever Ontario does, it will be publicly announced a week before the CSA meeting convenes. That should prove to be a highly interesting few days.
- The Montagliani/Newman thing:
Very interesting to me that Quebec is announcing its second choice, as well. Prud’homme seems to favour Rob Newman specifically.
Newman’s a bit of a mystery man outside of Metcalfe Street. He headed up the CSA Constitution Committee, which drafted and shepherded the reforms. His reputation as a chairman and nuts-and-bolts governance guy is well established, and highly respected. Questions have been raised about his soccer knowledge, and FIFA connections. None of this seems to bother Quebec.
What’s fascinating, though, is that Madonis has very strong praise for Montagliani. For his part, Prud’homme alludes to the help Maestracci has received from his vice president, but which VP he’s referring to is not clear.
CSN continues reaching out to Newman for an interview. We have not yet received a response.
Quebec's president is telling the world today it is backing its man – and sending Ontario a clear signal of who he prefers as a second choice, should Ontario decide four years of Dominique Maestracci is enough.
CSN will continue to watch all angles of this story, with the ongoing intention of keeping a bright spotlight on the backrooms of Canadian soccer politics.
Onward!