Macarthur FC lacked capacity to manage $8 million school program
Parliamentary inquiry found Macarthur FC could not manage $8 million for school programs and may have received political favors.
A NSW parliamentary committee found Macarthur FC was unable to manage $8 million for school clinics. The club gave unreliable evidence and lacked the ability to deliver the four-year contract.
The inquiry found that giving millions to Macarthur and the Western Sydney Wanderers appeared like favors. Both clubs had recently donated to Labor.
Both clubs denied any deal was made in return for government funding. Spending records showed Macarthur used hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars.
It paid companies owned by executives. It also used money to offset player wages.
Staff spent thousands on wine, restaurants and pubs. A forensic audit was ordered after the club failed to answer questions about spending.
- $8 million
- Macarthur funding amount
- $14.5 million
- Total program funding
- Richard Lenarduzzi
- Lobbyist referred
- Gino Marra
- Macarthur chairman
Why it mattersNSW taxpayers may have lost millions funding a club that could not deliver the program. The appearance of political favors is now under review.
AustraliaThe scandal has prompted NSW Labor to warn its own MPs against taking donations from sporting clubs ahead of the 2027 state election.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
