FIFA apply recruitment ban to A-League’s Western Untied over 'various infractions'

A-League side Western United will be unable to register any players in the next three transfer windows after world football governing body FIFA imposed a ban on the club.

Understood to relate to a historic issue, and not the Melbourne team’s current playing group, the ban comes at a time when the companies that underpin the are facing a wind-up order in the Federal Court over failure to pay creditors including the Australian Taxation Office.

As noted on the FIFA website, the ban relates to "various infractions, such as financial disputes or regulatory breaches."

It clarifies the registration ban as being to "ensure transparency and compliance within the sport."

The ban can be lifted if the situation is to be resolved but otherwise the Victorian-based club will be unable to engage in any transfers until February 2027.

A spokesperson from Western United confirmed the club has begun working to resolve the situation at hand, advising "we are aware of one outstanding matter, and we have already put steps in place to resolve this as soon as possible.”

Western United’s owning entity, WMG Football Club, lost $12.4 million in the year to June 2023. WMG Football Club's total revenue in that year was $6.9 million, significantly below its $11.6 million employee benefits expense in the same year.

With the financial model that underpinned Western United’s entry into the A-League for the 2019/20 season based on plans to construct a new 15,000-seat stadium in Tarneit, western Melbourne along with related residential and commercial development, delays in securing necessary funds have stalled the project.

In recent months, wind-up applications were filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for both WMG Football Club, which runs the team, and WMG Holdings Co., responsible for the property development.

Additionally, a commercial cleaning company has filed a notice of default over unpaid debts.

Image: Western United academy players who are likely to benefit from playing opportunities as a result of FIFA's ban on the club registering any players in the next three transfer windows. Credit: Western United/Facebook.