A-league Club Western United’s Licence Withdrawn Under Football Australia Regulations

Financially beleaguered nine Western United has had its licence withdrawn arsenic portion of Football Australia’s regulatory processes, a measurement which threatens nan outfit’s beingness conscionable 3 years aft it won nan A-League Men championship.

An independent committee group up to measure each nine against nan licensing criteria decided connected Thursday Western United has not met its requirements. It intends nan nine is blocked from competing successful FA-sanctioned competitions, including nan A-Leagues.

Football Australia issued a connection connected Friday afternoon: “Football Australia is capable to corroborate that nan first lawsuit committee [FIB] – an independent assemblage established nether nan National Club Licensing Regulations – has convened and wished that Western United FC has grounded to meet nan criteria required to beryllium granted an A-League license. As specified Western United FC’s licence has been withdrawn, effective immediately.

“Western United FC tin entreaty this determination to nan appeals assemblage established nether nan regulations connected definite grounds outlined successful nan regulations.”

The nine has told nan Guardian it plans to entreaty against nan determination and will supply a consequence connected Friday.

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) executive chair, Stephen Conroy, said his organisation awaits nan result of nan entreaty process.

“We’ve been advised by Football Australia connected nan determination by FIB to retreat Western United’s conditional licence,” he said.

“This is an FA, AFC and regulatory process, and we won’t remark further until nan regulatory process and immoderate entreaty has been completed.”

The licensing regulations are designed to “safeguard nan credibility and integrity” of Australian shot competitions and screen criteria specified arsenic financial standards.

Western United person been precocious successful paying players this twelvemonth and are presently taxable to a Fifa-imposed transportation and registration ban.

FA said nan licensing process is designed to protect nan game.

“This outcome, while regrettable, reflects Football Australia’s ongoing committedness to upholding nan integrity, stability, and fairness of competitions for each clubs, players, and stakeholders,” they said.

The threat to nan Tarneit’s outfit beingness comes arsenic owners activity to finalise a takeover by nan US-based Kaminski group, which was announced successful May.

The A-League Men is owed to commence successful precocious October.

More to follow.