Fears over A-League’s ability to compete in the Asian Champions League after salary cap slashing

The PFA fears the proposed new salary cap will make it impossible for any Australian team to compete with Asian sides in the Champions League.

Fears have been raised over the ability of Australian teams to compete with Asian giants. Picture: Getty

The PFA fears APL’s proposed $3 million salary cap will make it impossible for any Australian team to keep up with the Asian giants.

The extreme measures, set to come into play for the 2026/27 season, will pit Australian teams against squads worth almost 100 times their bankroll in the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) – putting the $20 million on offer well out of their reach.

Central Coast Mariners, the ALM club with one of the lowest budgets but still above the proposed salary cap, finished the ACLE with one draw and six losses – meaning they didn’t get any of the $150,000 up for grabs for each round win.

This year’s victor Al Ahli’s squad is estimated to be worth $295 million (AUD). Runner’s up Japanese League side Kawasaki’s squad is valued at $26 million (AUD).

City have gained entry to next year’s tournament after finishing second in the ALM competition – behind Auckland FC who are ineligible to compete as they are not part of the Asian Football Confederation.

Nathaniel Atkinson of Melbourne City runs with the ball. Picture: Getty

The tournament offers up $100,000 USD or $153,000 AUD for every win in the group stage. It doubles for the round of 16 – culminating in $15 million (AUD) for the ultimate winner. All up a team could pocket just shy of $20 million (AUD) if they won all their matches.

With all ALM clubs struggling to stay afloat Professional Footballers’ Australia CEO Beau Busch said the AFC prize money was a significant revenue opportunity for ALM clubs.

“Asian leagues are rapidly improving and we do not expect our clubs to be able to match some of the spending seen elsewhere, but our research shows that our best teams are within touching distance,” Busch said.

Adam Le Fondre of Sydney FC celebrates scoring a goal during the AFC Asian Champions League. Picture: Getty

But Busch said if the salary cap plans were to go ahead it would create a big gap between the ALM and other Asian outfits.

“The occasional deep run in the ACL Elite could be game changing. It is not the time to be diminishing our clubs ability to compete.

“The path to sustainability means striking a smarter balance between costs and revenues, including prize money, but also broadcast, bums on seats and transfer fees. Solely focusing on the former (costs) while leaving money on the table will not create the future that we believe is possible.”

Next season’s salary cap is only a soft one with no fines or bans for going over it.

Melbourne City’s squad is fairly strong. They have four Socceroos on the books – Mathew Leckie, Aziz Behich, Nathaniel Atkinson and Marco Tilio.

But would likely have to go without three of these players under the $3 million salary cap rule.

Laura Hughes of Melbourne City. Picture: Getty

Meaning they will have to rely heavily on the young up and coming players.

For the first time both Melbourne City’s men’s and women’s teams will feature in Asian Champions league competitions. It is just the second time the competition has been on offer to the women. City participated this season and have progressed through to the semi-final. If they go on to win the tournament City would pocket approximately $1.95 million (AUD).

City’s semi-final is on May 21.

Originally published as Fears over A-League’s ability to compete in the Asian Champions League after salary cap slashing