A-League club Western United facing collapse after licence withdrawal

Financially troubled A-League club Western United has had its licence withdrawn as part of Football Australia’s regulatory processes, a move which threatens the outfit’s existence just three years after it won the A-League championship.

Facing financial issues since claiming the 2021/22 A-League Men title, the club's troubled have mounted this year - despite a pending takeover - with players and staff experiencing delayed payments, and with a FIFA ban stopping it from registering new players.

An independent board set up to assess each club against the licensing criteria decided on Thursday that the Western Melbourne club has not met its requirements. It means the club - which claims it sale to US investors is imminent – is blocked from competing in FA-sanctioned competitions, including the A-Leagues.

A statement released today by Football Australia advised "Football Australia is able to confirm that the First Instance Board (FIB) - 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.

"As such, Western United FC's license has been withdrawn, effective immediately.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."

The club, which has eight days to appeal the decision, responded with its own statement, explaining that it was “bitterly disappointed by the decision” taken by FA and the FIB, and that it would 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 (new investors) KAM Melbourne continues to progress”.

Australian Professional Leagues (APL) Executive Chair, Stephen Conroy, said his organisation awaits the outcome of the appeal process, commenting "we’ve been advised by Football Australia on the determination by FIB to withdraw Western United’s conditional licence.

“This is an FA, AFC and regulatory process, and we won’t comment further until the regulatory process and any appeal has been completed.”

The licensing regulations are designed to “safeguard the credibility and integrity” of Australian football competitions and cover criteria such as financial standards. The initial deadline for clubs to comply was May, but Football Australia was working with multiple clubs to help them meet the criteria until the amended deadline of 31st July.

The board’s decision is based on documentation provided by Western United, along with recommendations from FA. Western United have been late in paying players this year and are currently subject to a Fifa-imposed transfer and registration ban.

Western United only joined the A-Leagues in 2019 in its most recent round of expansion alongside Macarthur, which started a year later.

Initially the project’s vision - of a club in a growth corridor that owned its own stadium, funded by a real estate development partnership with Wyndham City Council – was widely praised.

Although the club has completed its training and office facilities at Ironbark Fields, a greenfields site in Tarneit where it holds most of its home matches, construction on the main stadium has been delayed.

Wyndham City council’s Director of Corporate Services, Mark Rossiter, said the news was disappointing particularly for fans but that ratepayers would not be affected by the situation.

As reported by Guardian Australia, Rossiter commented "we understand the club still has some appeal options and Wyndham will use that time to consider what this means for our partnership with Western Melbourne Group.

“It is important to note that council and ratepayers are completely protected by the robust commercial and financial contracts that are in place between council and Western Melbourne Group. We continue to believe this is a unique initiative that has the potential to unlock an extraordinary level of public value, and we remain committed to realising this vision.”

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.

Images: Western United fans (top) and the club's plans for its once-propossed Tartneit home (below).