Football Australia (FA) took away Western United FC’s licence to play in both the men’s and women’s A-League competitions, leaving the team in a lot of doubt. The decision went into effect immediately, departing the club with only seven days to file an appeal and fight to stay alive.
The Reason for the Licence Being Taken Away
The First Instance Board (FIB), an independent group that follows the National Club Licencing Regulations, found that Western United did not meet the financial and operational criteria for an A-League licence. These rules are meant to protect the credibility and integrity of Australian football. They involve rules about things like financial stability and how clubs are run.
FA said that the decision was made after looking over papers from Western United, FA, and the Australian Professional Leagues (APL). The first deadline for compliance was May 2025, but it was pushed back to July 31, 2025. Even with the extra time, the club did not reach the goals it had set.
Money Problems at the Core
Western United’s problems off the field have been getting worse for months. In 2025, players and staff were paid late for three months in a row. This month, they received their pay on time. The club is additionally prohibited from transferring and registering players by FIFA, which makes it even harder to manage the squad.
Recent financial reports show a bad picture. Western United lost $11 million in the 2023–24 season, and their debts were $55 million in addition to their assets. The situation has gotten so bad that creditors, like the Australian Tax Office, have started a federal court process to end the business. There will be a hearing on Friday afternoon.
Uncertainty about ownership and takeover
In May 2025, Western United said they wanted to buy KAM Melbourne, a subsidiary of US-based KAM Sports, for $100 million. This would give them control over the club and its parent company, Western Melbourne Group. The APL hasn’t approved the deal yet, though, because the ownership proposal hasn’t been fully presented. The club’s financial rescue plan is still on hold due to this change in ownership.
The Club’s History and Goals
Western United joined the A-Leagues in 2019. The league became by one team the next year when Macarthur FC joined. The club wanted to set up shop in Melbourne’s growing western corridor, complete with a stadium that they owned and paid for through a real estate partnership with Wyndham City Council.
The club has built training and office space at Ironbark Fields in Tarneit, where most home games are held. Yet, the main stadium project has been delayed by a lot.
Effects on Players and Coaches
The future of the men’s team, which is coached by Socceroos legend John Aloisi, is now very unclear. Last month, Captain Ben Garuccio signed a new two-year deal. He missed the Australian Cup loss to Sydney FC in July because of the FIFA ban. Professional Footballers Australia is talking to players to help them through this tough patch.
Words from the Football Authorities
FA called its decision to take away the licence “unfortunate” but necessary to keep competitions fair, secure, and honest. Stephen Conroy, the Executive Chairman of APL, confirmed the revocation of the licence and said that the organisation would wait for the appeal process to finish before making any more comments.
The Road Ahead
Western United has only seven days to appeal the FIB’s decision. If the appeal doesn’t work, the club could go out of business entirely, ending its six-year run in the A-Leagues. The timing is crucial because the A-League Men’s season starts in late October 2025, so there isn’t ample opportunity for delays in the administration.
Western United is at a crossroads because of unresolved changes in ownership, severe financial instability, and infractions to rules and regulations. In the next few days, we’ll find out if the club can get through this crisis or if it will become another warning story in Australian football.
