Billionaire gives backing for merged Sydney A-League club bid

Two applicants for A-League licences are set to join forces with the backing of a $2.2 billion businessman.

Billionaire Lang Walker poses Campbelltown bid ambassador Brett Emerton. Picture: AAP

The Southern Expansion A-League expansion franchise says it has nothing to fear from an anticipated merger between South West Sydney and Macarthur that would effectively turn the joint union into a more powerful bid.

The Australian understands an official announcement regarding the merger will be made on Monday — just 12 days before all 10 expansion candidates are due to finalise their bid documents.

Football Federation Australia will announce a decision on which two franchises will be included in an expanded 12-team competition by the end of October.

It is expected that FFA will choose from Southern Expansion, Macarthur, South West Sydney or Wollongong for one spot in the league for the 2019-2020 season and one most likely from one of the three Melbourne applications — Team 11, Western Melbourne Group and South Melbourne.

Macarthur, who have the backing of Campbelltown Council and billionaire property developer Lang Walker, and South West Sydney, who represent the areas around Fairfield and Liverpool and reportedly have substantial financial backing, had been intent on going it alone. But it is understood both parties came to a sensible agreement that a merger was their best chance of convincing the ruling body that they should be included. It is a decision that could turn the dynamics of the selection process.

Despite the merger, Southern Expansion, who remain a firm favourite for one spot, are adamant nothing changes for them.

Chief executive Chris Gardiner made it clear the Southern Expansion bid remained focused on the job ahead and that they are going it alone with no intention of seeking a union with any other bid.

The Australian understands they rejected overtures from Macarthur to combine the two bids.

“We remain focused and committed to uniting three great football heartlands (St George, Sutherland Shire and Wollongong) under our Southern Expansion bid,” Gardiner said in a statement.

If successful, the new super bid will play out of Campbelltown Stadium. It will bring together a number of parties including Walker, who has an estimated worth of $2.2 billion, respected football administrator and South West Sydney chairman Gino Marra, the Macarthur and Southern Districts Football Associations and the Camden and Wollondilly councils.