A move towards a 'Champions League' model for a 2025 launch of a national second tier (NST) is looking increasingly likely, with Football Australia set for further conversation surrounding the competition's format -- with a shift focus away from a mooted home-and-away approach likely -- following a meeting of its board.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Tuesday that a change to the landmark competition was being considered after the process to find an additional two to four entrants for the first season met challenges and amid growing concerns that Football Australia may be forced to step in with financial support for the cash-strapped A-Leagues. It was news met by disappointment and anger amongst participatory clubs, believing the format does not represent a legitimate second-tier nor what was communicated during the bidding process.
After multiple years of planning, the federation announced last November that it intended to launch an NST in March/April of 2025, featuring 10-12 sides that would leave their local NPL competitions and play a home-and-away season, plus finals.
Eight clubs -- Preston Lions, Avondale, APIA Leichhardt, Marconi, South Melbourne, Sydney Olympic, Sydney United 58, and Wollongong Wolves -- were unveiled as foundation sides. The competition would not have been linked with the A-League through promotion and relegation.
However, the SMH has reported that there were concerns surrounding the viability of "one or two" of these foundation sides and that just one Victorian side had emerged as a possible entrant, neither filling the requisite launch figure nor breaking the Victorian and New South Wales duopoly that Football Australia is reluctant to launch with.
ESPN sources have said similar, with it believed the Victorian side is former NSL outfit and Australia Cup champions Caroline Springs George Cross, whose recently opened facility in Fraser Rise has previously been used as a training base and A-League Women's venue by Western United.
While Football Australia declined to comment on the reports, chief executive James Johnson faced questions while attending the announcement that Adelaide would host the Socceroos' World Cup qualifier against China in October on Wednesday, the same day foundation NST clubs met to discuss the reports. He told The Asian Game that the format of the competition would be discussed at this week's board meeting, which stretched across Thursday and Friday.
ESPN understands that while nothing was conclusively determined at that meeting, the federation is now set to go back to clubs and other potential stakeholders, including, potentially, A-League clubs, to discuss a 2025 launch -- which the federation remains committed to -- with the previously flagged home-and-away format now an increasingly unlikely outcome.
It's a shift that will likely face resistance from the existing foundation clubs. Speaking to ESPN on Thursday, Nick Galatas, the chair of the Association of Australian Football Clubs (of which the eight foundation clubs are members), was adamant that a shift to a Champions League-style model following an NPL campaign would not represent the proper introduction of a second-tier.
"The nature of a Champions League, it's not a second division," Galatas told ESPN. "That's a different competition; it's a parallel competition among top clubs.
"Call it what you like, but it's not a second division.
"Clubs were told it would not be happening. Clubs were told this is what would not be happening and have planned accordingly."
Though the footballing benefits it can bring are widely acknowledged, the question of financial viability has long hovered over discussions of an NST. Football Australia has been steadfast in saying that while a competition would launch, a commitment that remains unchanged, its model would be governed by sustainability and the ability of entrants to meet the necessary criteria to ensure success - with the scope to evolve and develop as circumstances change over time.
Clubs, however, have voiced concerns to ESPN over the need for increased flexibility and collaboration given the rapidly shifting economic climate in Australian football.
Compared to a standalone home-and-away model, it was suggested a Champions League-style competition staged in concert with maintaining existing NPL financial obligations wouldn't generate the necessary interest or revenue to be sustainable, nor drive the improved professionalism and facilities Football Australia has targeted. One figure put it bluntly, telling ESPN that they had "no interest in participating in Champions League models".
Amidst growing frustrations, especially with local member federations, sources have told ESPN one compromise being discussed by clubs is putting forward a proposal to assume a greater role in administering an NST.
Football Australia would still support, maintain oversight and sanction the competition -- meaning it wouldn't be an independent league like the APL-administered A-Leagues or a rebel competition -- but it would provide a greater level of flexibility in sourcing entrants and help ensure a standalone home-and-away competition