South Melbourne calls for end of football civil war to provide clarity for A-League expansion

SOUTH Melbourne says it’s A-League expansion bid is in a holding pattern as the bitter civil war engulfing Australian football leaves them with no clear direction.

South Melbourne is no closer to knowing the fate of its A-League bid. Picture: Getty Images

SOUTH Melbourne says its bid for A-League admission is in a “holding pattern” because of the bitter civil war currently afflicting the game.

But the club’s A-League boss Bill Papastergiadis says tomorrow night’s FFA Cup semi-final against Sydney FC at Lakeside Stadium will showcase its capacity to once again be welcomed into Australia’s top flight — both on and off the field.

Papastergiadis says tomorrow night’s game, which is expected to take place in front of a near capacity crowd at Lakeside, is a “David versus Goliath battle”, with South being the little guy — something that hasn’t been said too often in the history of the one-time National Soccer League powerhouse.

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South Melbourne players celebrates their quarterfinal win over Gold Coast City. Picture: Getty Images

And while the result on the pitch is important, off it Papastergiadis said tonight is a chance to further push its claims for an A-League licence.

But beyond that he said the club could not do any more to develop its case because of the lack of clarity coming from Football Federation Australia, which is currently locked in a battle with the A-League clubs and players union over governance issues.

‘The quicker FFA resolves its dispute with the A-League clubs, the better for football in this country that will be,” Papastergiadis said.

“All of the parties involved need to take one step backwards and look at the big picture and really look at the game and its health in its entirety.

“I’m hoping once they resolve their dispute that the focus can turn to the development of players, coaches and administrators at all tiers.

“So we’re in a holding pattern, but we’re ready to turn the engine on at any point in time.”

Milos Lujic has been a star of South Melbourne’s campaign. Picture: Getty Images

With more than 4500 tickets already sold, South is confident a five figure crowd is achievable tonight — if rain stays away.

And Papastergiadis said the event would serve as a reminder as to why the “door to expansion” should be opened as quickly as possible.

“We have fantastic stadium facilities, a large supporter base, a proven player development record,” he said.

South Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium will be its A-League base if admitted.

“And we have a club and a board that now truly reflects the multicultural city that we live in.

“We tick all the boxes for expansion.

“What we are also showing is we’re a club that hasn’t stood still. We’re a club that has continued to develop itself, refine its abilities and produce results.

“I also believe that we have a current squad that you can build an A-League club from.

“There are players who we believe we can build a team around which gives us a head start into any competition.”

FFA CUP SEMI-FINAL

SOUTH MELBOURNE v SYDNEY FC

Tomorrow night, 7.30pm

TV: Live on Fox Sports 1 from 7pm

TAB odds: South $11, Draw $6, Sydney $1.20

WINDLEY SAYS

So important for South not to concede early. If it does, it could be a whitewash, but if it can hold out for half an hour or so then we have a game.

SYDNEY 3-0

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