Australian soccer chiefs have culled two bids from a batch wanting to be the A-League’s next expansion clubs.
Six bids remain under consideration by Football Federation Australia (FFA) for a proposed expanded A-League in 2019-20.
But any decision on the two winning bids may not be made until next year, leaving a tight timeframe for new entities to prepare for the next A-League season.
After rejecting bids from Wollongong Wolves and Ipswich Pride FC, the FFA will ask the remaining six bidders to present to the new board of the peak body in November.
The remaining bidders are Southern Expansion (NSW), Macarthur South West Sydney (NSW), Western Melbourne (Victoria), Team 11 (Victoria), South Melbourne (Victoria) and Canberra (ACT).
FFA chief executive David Gallop says all potential newcomers still in contention require further work.
“We have six bids that all have positive aspects but require further work in certain areas,” Gallop said in a statement on Wednesday.
“We need to continue our consultation with those bid teams to ensure that they adequately address these areas to ensure their future sustainability.”
Suitable stadiums, finances and a “catchment area” of potential fans loomed large in the FFA’s final decision.
“It is critical that FFA can be satisfied the successful bidders will be sustainable from day one, as well as meet a variety of commitments that will benefit the longer-term growth of the A-League,” Gallop said.
FFA, supported by lead adviser Deloitte, would now work with remaining bidders to present at the next meeting of the governing body’s board, to be held soon after the organisation’s annual general meeting in November.
FFA chairman Steven Lowy will officially relinquish his post at the November meeting and a new board will be elected.
The board would then be tasked with evaluating the bids, which could take until next year.
“It is universally acknowledged that expansion of the A-League is an important next step forward,” Gallop said.
“We know it will provide a shot in the arm for our game by providing more opportunities for young Australian footballers, bringing in new fans and engaging new communities.”
Jo-Ryan A Salazar
Guest
The American one.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Waz I’ll think you overestimate the people of Sydney attending sports matches And they certainly don’t watch the a league in big numbers on tv , but hey give them another team It’s the nsl all over again
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Canberra is just a regional centre in NSW, actually smaller than Newcastle. The number of teams in NSW is irrelevant, it's the number of teams in the major cities which matter, and Sydney and Melbourne only have two each (likely to become three each).
Waz
Roar Rookie
I don’t know what planet people are on if they think both Sydney and Melbourne cant support more teams.
Neil
Guest
NSW already has 4 teams surely the FFA can not give them another one, so I think Canberra should get one and the other from Victoria.
chris
Guest
Some valid points Fad. Pest, AR? Any comment?
Fadida
Guest
I will happily watch every A-league game of the season, every season, except Nux home games (unless they play the Jets). The Cake Tin and the NZ commentators take my will to live.
Fadida
Guest
Not only that, but the same AFL teams will play each other from now until the earth explodes!! There'll never be a second division, never be pro/rel, unlikely to ever be any new teams as the market is super saturated. No wonder the fan boys spend so much time on the football tab. Inwardly they must realise it's Groundhog Day
chris
Guest
I think we need to take a leaf out of AFLs book here. 16 teams in the whole world and no one ever gets bored. Except for the AFL fanboys on the football tab that is.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
You tune in to the A-League, and the Nix are about to play the Mariners for the 4th time this season, one can already hear the collective groan.
RF
Roar Rookie
Unless you are watching the Nix.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Good point there Nemesis. I'll support my teams even if they play each other team 4 times and more. Why not? It's not as if any two games are the same.
AR
Guest
I’m with “Nemesis” on this one. Attendances don’t matter. That’s the way it is in Croatia and Switzerland, and so that the way it can be in Australia. It’s basic football logic. #notunique #informedanalysis #coseuropethatswhy
Nemesis
Guest
Switzerland also has 10 teams in its top division, playing 4x each season for total 36 matches. 2 teams have ave attendances last season of under 4,000. Aussies who understand football will know Switzerland qualified for the knockout at WC2014 and WC2018, losing 1-0 each time.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Not sure Scotland is a great benchmark.
Waz
Roar Rookie
@ Nemesis Correct. And I don’t buy this Supporters get “bored” bit. Scotland is another country where they play each other 3-4 times in the league and often meet again in the league or Scottish cup. It’s such a first world problem.
Nick Symonds
Guest
Croatian First Football League Highest average season attendance = 4,264 Lowest average season attendance = 1,911 Average attendance last season = 2,948 Croatia population = 4,154,200 - Most NPL clubs would be happy with those figures which seem fine for a country with a small population but I'm not so sure FOX or FFA would feel the same way. Having said that, every league has larger and smaller sized clubs and Australia is no different. As long as they play in an appropriately sized stadium I don't mind.
Nemesis
Guest
Croatia has 10 teams in its top division, playing 4x each season for total 36 matches. Aussies who are clueless about sport, will tell us average crowd numbers are poor for this league. Aussies who understand football will know Croatia was runner up in the 2018 World Cup and their star player was voted Male Footballer of the Year. Which Aussie are you?
W. Epaminondas Adrastus Blab
Guest
The AFC minimum requirements should be changed. Changed, I say!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
It's not ideal, but maybe they go immediately to a 26 round season in anticipation of a 14 team league in the future. If nothing else, it will comply with AFC minimum requirements. Personally, I think Australian audiences would find a 33 round season, with everyone playing each three times, to be interminably long and an unbearable ordeal.