Police are investigating the death of former sports journalist and prominent public relations consultant Rod Allen after a cliff fall on Sydney's Cockatoo Island.

Allen's body was found at 8:30am after falling from the cliff in the early hours of Sunday morning.

It is believed he was on the island for a camping trip.

Allen was the head of media relations for the Western Sydney Wanderers, and was at their game on Friday night to witness them take out the Premier's Plate.

Previously he had worked as a sports journalist for both News Limited and Fairfax newspapers

He was the managing editor of sport at The Sydney Morning Herald from 2003-2008 before moving into consultancy where he worked for the Football Federation of Australia (FFA) on Australia's bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

FFA chief executive David Gallop paid tribute to Allen for his contribution to football and Australian sports journalism.

"Rod had a remarkable career in sports journalism and more recently sports administration and was regarded as an extremely professional and well-respected journalist, editor and media manager," he said.

"His no-nonsense approach to the task at hand was his trademark and many who dealt with him appreciated this dedication to getting the story, hitting deadline or managing an issue.

"He worked through a significant period during his time at FFA which included the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and our bids to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

"Most recently Rod was working with the Western Sydney Wanderers as media manager and was an important member of the club's staff.

"On behalf of the Australian football community, we offer our deepest condolences to his family during this extremely sad time."

Western Sydney Wanderers chairman Lyall Gorman also paid tribute to Allen, saying "football had lost a great friend".

"We have lost a truly wonderful man, an incredible contributor to our club and football for many, many years and more importantly one of our family and a great friend," he said.

"On this day of immense shock and sadness, we remember Rod's wonderful warm nature. Our thoughts are with his beautiful wife Laila and their extended family.

"Our last time together was in the car park at Newcastle on Friday night where we shared a drink and celebrated a wonderful night in our club's history after winning the Premier's Plate.

"I am not sure that in the nine years I have known Rod that I have ever seen him happier or prouder when it came to football."