Alex Brosque has demanded a change of ownership at the Brisbane Roar, describing the A-Leagues club as an "absolute shambles" after the call to tear up their junior academy.
The Roar announced on Tuesday they will pull their Under-14, 15, and 18 teams from next season's National Premier League competitions while the club said the Under-13 side had been removed under the new Football Queensland (FQ) model.
Only an Under-23 outfit will remain, according to a Roar statement explaining that program will be expanded to "offer more players from across Queensland the chance to foster their development once they approach senior football."
An FQ statement made clear the decision "was made exclusively by the Brisbane Roar and by Brisbane Roar alone."
"It's not surprising," former Socceroos player Brosque, who began his A-League career in Brisbane in 2005, told SEN. "I feel sorry for [coach] Warren Moon, the players, the club ... absolute shambles."
Semifinalists in the Australia Cup, the Roar have started the A-League Men season with a scoreless draw and a loss. The club was also investigated for alleged JobKeeper irregularities while the messy termination of player Corey Brown for alleged drug use continues behind the scenes.
The Roar are owned by The Bakrie Group, an Indonesia-based conglomerate having at least a 70 percent share in the club since 2011.
"The owners there are doing nothing for the club," Brosque said. "We need to get some new owners and I know it's not that simple but ... we need a change at that club because it's embarrassing."
The Roar play Western Sydney on Saturday, with their next home game against Melbourne Victory on Oct. 29. The Roar's Under-14, Under-15, Under-18, and Under-23 teams all made NPL Queensland finals last season, with the 15s and 23s claiming titles.
"As the only A-League team in Queensland, Brisbane Roar are proud to support a pathway for the junior players in the state to have professional football opportunities," a Roar statement said. "Brisbane Roar also recognise that Football Queensland works with NPL clubs and players, across the state, and that these clubs are the backbone for development, particularly for junior players.
"Therefore, Brisbane Roar have made the difficult decision to focus on the development of players from the age of 16 and up that are eligible for the under-23s and NPL men's squad."