Football Australia withdraws Western United's A-League licence three years after winning title
Western United has been stripped of its A-League licence in a decision Football Australia described as "regrettable".The beleaguered Victorian club has faced financial issues since claiming the 2021/2022 A-League Men title, with players and staff recently facing delayed payments, while a FIFA ban has stopped the club from registering new players due to a dispute with former player Aleksandar Prijović.The club has eight days to appeal the decision."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to be granted an A-League license," a Football Australia statement read."As such, Western United FC's license has been withdrawn, effective immediately."Western United FC can appeal this decision to the Appeals Body established under the regulations on certain grounds outlined in the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."Western United won the A-League Men championship in the 2021/22 season. (Getty Images: Vince Caligiuri)Western United was hoping its issues would be solved by KAM Melbourne — a subsidiary of American group KAM Sports — acquiring a controlling stake in the club.The agreement was announced in early May but is yet to be finalised.On Friday, Western United said in a statement that the club was "bitterly disappointed" with the decision."The club will be exercising its right to appeal the decision with faith of a positive outcome as the sale of the club and injection of capital from KAM Melbourne continues to progress," the statement said."As this is a regulatory process, the club will be making no further comment at this time."A-League player charged by police Photo shows A soccer ball on a grassy pitch in late afternoon light An A-League soccer player from Western United is among those charged by Victoria Police following an investigation into alleged cheating on bets involving the game.Western United entered the A-League Men competition in the 2019/20 season, reaching the finals in their first campaign.They lifted the championship trophy three years ago and made the finals in the most recent season.Socceroos great John Aloisi, who guided the club to its championship triumph in 2022, had signed a two-year contract extension as head coach only last month.The club first contested the A-League Women competition in 2022/23, advancing to the finals in their debut season.They were also finalists in 2024/25.Following encouraging displays on the field this year, Western United was embroiled in controversy when one of its players was among those charged by Victoria Police in June following an investigation into alleged cheating on bets involving the game.
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