Greg . 1 day ago

Western United in danger of folding after losing A-League licence

The 2022 A-League Men champions have been removed from the 2025/26 men's and women's competitions following years of financial turmoil.

A board independent of A-League management has concluded that Tarneit-based club Western United (WUFC) has dropped short to meet its licencing requirements ahead of the 2025/26 season.

“Football Australia is able to confirm that the first instance board – an independent body established under the National Club Licensing Regulations – has convened and decided that Western United FC has dropped short to meet the criteria required to be granted an A-League license," a Football Australia statement said on Friday afternoon.

"As such, Western United FC’s licence has been withdrawn, effective immediately.

“Western United FC can request this decision to the appeals body established under the regulations on certain grounds outlined in the regulations.

”The decision means that WUFC have been banned from all Football Australia competitions including the A-League Men, A-League Women and Australia Cup, from which they were recently removed following what could be their final game as a professional club.

 WUFC have for years struggled to stay afloat as an entity and were beleaguered by late monthly payments to players and staff on no fewer than three occasions this year, the roots of which contributed to an 18-month FIFA transfer ban earlier this year.

 As reported by Betopick News just last week, club boss Jason Sourasis was struck with a personal tax bill of $3 million relating to unpaid taxes across six of his companies, whilst fellow owner Steve Horvat confronted a $10m personal tax debt of his own.

 The club also confront a winding up process by creditors in the Federal Court, with the next hearing set down for Friday afternoon.

 But, despite current ownership being embroiled in individual financial trouble, things showed up to be somewhat on the up with current lead coach John Aloisi committing to a new contract and the sale of the club to the US-based Kaminski group moving closer.

They were presented to the competition in 2019-20 as Melbourne's third club off the support of a compelling promise to construct a self-financed 15,000-seat boutique in Tarneit.

 Whilst the stadium never came to fruition, a training base at Ironbark Fields featuring three full-size pitches - assisted by financing from the Wyndham City Council and state government - eventually became a home crushed for the A-League Women's team as well as an occasional venue for the men's side during the 2024/25 season.

 The erection of Ironbark Fields itself was completed years overdue, albeit with the Covid pandemic significantly complicating construction timelines and increasing overall costs.

 On Friday afternoon, a "bitterly disappointed" Western United have stated their intention to "(exercise their) right to request 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 2025/26 A-League Men's season is due to commence in mid-October and the A-League Women's season in early November, leaving the league with a rapidly shortening window to organise a fixture with or without Western United.