Football Australia yet to approve Canberra’s bid for entry to A-League men’s competition

Football Australia is yet to ‘assess’ Canberra’s potential bid for entry into next season’s A-League men’s competition.

Football Australia remain cautious with A-League expansion as it awaits further details from the financially embattled Australian Professional Leagues about the proposed Canberra club entering the men’s competition next season.

The A-League will expand by at least one club next season, with an Auckland-based team franchise funded by American billionaire Bill Foley having already being confirmed as the competition’s 13th team.

Then APL chief executive officer Danny Townsend announced in March last year that a Canberra men’s team would also join the A-League for the 2024-25 season.

Current A-League commissioner Nick Garcia last week also expressed his confidence that Canberra would be part of next season’s men’s competition, with suggestions that an announcement was imminent.

Football Australia boss James Johnson is waiting to see Canberra’s potential bid for inclusion in the A-League men’s competition. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

However, the APL’s financial woes that have since come to light have some questioning whether the time if right for the A-League to expanding, particularly considering the APL is still funding Perth Glory, and a few owners from current clubs continue to bankroll the Newcastle Jets.

There are also those that might argue that the APL now have no option but to expand considering the cash-strapped organisation will receive $25 million for each of the licences on offer.

However, FA, the regulator of the A-League, still has the final say on expansion of the competition despite the APL running it.

“With any change of licence, change of owner, or expansion, Football Australia is involved and we assess every application from the APL on its merits,” said FA chief executive officer James Johnson, who added he was still waiting to see Canberra’s final submission for entry.

“When there is something to assess, we’ll assess it, and make a decision based on the facts in front of us.”

Johnson also said was still FA’s intention to start a national second division competition next year despite the A-League’s current financial problems.

Eight clubs – APIA Leichhardt, Avondale, Marconi Stallions, Preston Lions, South Melbourne, Sydney Olympic, Sydney United 58 and Wollongong Wolves – have been accepted into the competition, with FA hoping to include two-to-four more by the end of June.

Originally published as Football Australia yet to approve Canberra’s bid for entry to A-League men’s competition