Football: Expand the A-League now, by four teams not two

Stagnation and boredom have become buzz words associated with the A-League. Things have to change at a historic board meeting tomorrow.

South Melbourne are one of six bids hopeful of earning entry into the A-League. Picture: AAP

COMMENT

After a little over two years of infighting, recriminations, broken friendships, changes to the constitution, resignations and a convoluted election process that made regular politics look like a tea party, Australian soccer is in need of some positivity.

Amid all the drama and controversy, those responsible for looking after the interests of the sport have largely taken their eyes off the ball and the biggest loser has been the A-League.

While it can be argued the on-field product has been decent over the past couple of seasons, the national competition has nonetheless suffered from consistently falling attendances and an alarming slide in the television audience.

The fans have been voting with their feet.

Stagnation and boredom have become the buzz words given we have had the same 10 teams since 2012 and it is clear the competition needs to be revamped and revitalised.

Hopefully, that will happen when Football Federation Australia’s board of directors meet in Sydney tomorrow to assess, then decide on which two bids will be included in an expanded 12-team competition starting later next year.

Ambassadors for the combined United For Macarthur and South West Sydney FC A-League bid Brett Emerton, left, and Nick Carle. Picture: AAP

Six hopefuls have lined up at the barrier and the recently elected FFA directors, who are yet to see the recommendations from their management as of Sunday night, will have plenty of paperwork, and some recommendations, to consider.

It is fair to say it will be one of the most important decisions in the recent history of the sport.

And the board needs to get it right, especially amid suggestions the A-League clubs have asked for expansion to be delayed until the 2020-2021 season.

The board needs to close their ears to that suggestion because under no circumstances should a delay to expansion be considered, let alone be allowed to happen.

Ideally, four clubs, not two, should be brought in immediately, but FFA management are adamant that won’t happen.

Team 11 investor Tony Selak and youth players. Picture: Hamish Blair

In that case, the ideal situation is to bring in two new clubs for next season and to give the go-ahead for another two to be included for the 2020-2021 season. Eventually, the priority is for the league to get to 16 teams.

Throw in a second division of say 12 to 14 teams with promotion and relegation and we have the perfect storm for the growth and development of the game in this country.

Now it is up to the FFA board to make it happen. For too long they have ignored the multitude of voices of concern and now it is time to listen to their constituents.

They should ignore the A-League clubs, who are looking to protect their own backsides. If these clubs don’t have enough faith in their ability to move forward and meet the challenge of competition then they don’t deserve to be in the A-League.

FFA CEO David Gallop and new FFA Chairman Chris Nikou with Tim Cahill last month. Picture: Getty Images

The lack of understanding and collaboration in terms of taking the game forward is something that has held the sport back for too long, especially during the A-League era. It is why the general football community long ago lost respect for the FFA.

There is no denying that A-League expansion is long overdue and any further delay will only serve to enlarge the already huge disconnect between the football community and the administrators.

When FFA chairman Chris Nikou and his new board were elected last month, they came with a promise to unite the game and listen to the people who count. The fans are speaking, loudly.

We can only hope Nikou and the board are true to their word and have the stomach to make the tough decisions.