Australian football’s long-time chairman Frank Lowy stepped down Tuesday after helping reform the sport and grow its popularity during 12 years at the helm.
The 85-year-old property and retail tycoon is considered the godfather of the game in Australia, establishing the National Soccer League in the 1970s before walking away disillusioned.
He was coaxed back to head up Football Federation Australia in 2003 and under his watch the Socceroos qualified for three successive World Cups in Germany, South Africa and Brazil.
