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Melbourne A-League club Western United is reportedly on the brink of collapse after having its licence stripped due to financial trouble — meaning it has effectively been removed from Australia’s elite football competitions.
Nine Newspapers reported that the club, A-League Men’s champions in 2022, had paid its players and staff late across April-June, and was also barred by FIFA from registering new players due to a dispute with ex-player Aleksandar Prijovic. A takeover by American investors KAM Sports has not eventuated to help alleviate the problems.
Football Australia’s first instance board, which independently handles league licencing, decided on Thursday night that Western United did not meet the criteria to participate in the A-League.
“As such, Western United FC’s license has been withdrawn, effective immediately,” an FA spokesman told NIne Newspapers.
“This outcome, while regrettable, reflects Football Australia’s ongoing commitment to upholding the integrity, stability, and fairness of competitions for all clubs, players, and stakeholders.”
Western United, coached by Socceroos icon John Aloisi, has seven days to appeal the decision.
Western United holds the trophy aloft after the A-League Men’s Grand Final in 2022.
Source: Getty Images
Aloisi told Nine Newspapers: “Not sure what I can say at the moment but I’m devastated for everyone involved at the club.”
Meanwhile, the club said in a statement that it was “bitterly disappointed” and hoped that an appeal would deliver a “positive outcome” with an “injection of capital” and club sale potentially on the horizon.
Guardian Australia reported last week that the Melbourne club lost $11 million in the 2023/24 financial year. Liabilities were reported to have been exceeding assets by more than $55 million.
There was also a deficit of more than $12 million in the period that preceded.
The club finished third on the table last season, which may be its last unless a solution can swiftly be found.
The A-League Men’s competition would reduce to 12 teams if Western United is gone. It added Auckland City last season but a planned new team in Canberra has not eventuated.
