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Sport Nation
A-League club stripped of license by Football Australia
SEN • August 8th, 2025 4:49 pm
Western United has been stripped of its licence to compete in the A-League Men’s and Women’s competitions.
The Melbourne-based club now has seven days to save itself from folding, with the decision coming about due to growing financial concerns.
The decisions came from a Football Australia board meeting, which decided that the club had “failed to meet the criteria required to be an A-League club”.
"Football Australia is able to confirm that the first instance board - an independent body established under the National Club Licensing Regulations - has convened and determined that Western United FC has failed to meet the criteria required to be granted an A-League license," a Football Australia spokesperson said.
"As such, Western United's license has been withdrawn, effective immediately.
"Western United FC can appeal this decision to the Appeals Body established under the regulations on certain grounds outlined in the regulations.
"This outcome, while regrettable, reflects Football Australia's ongoing commitment to upholding the integrity, stability, and fairness of competitions for all clubs, players, and stakeholders.”
According to reports, Western United had on occasion failed to pay players.
The club, which is coached by Socceroos legend John Aloisi, won the A-League just three years ago.
If the club does fold, they’d join Gold Coast United (2008-2012), New Zealand Knights (2005-2007) and North Queensland Fury (2009-2011) as defunct A-League clubs.
The 2025/26 A-League season is set to begin on October 17.
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