Australia NewsThunder, Galaxy Get Go-Ahead |
FOOTBALL Federation Australia today gave the go-ahead for Gold Coast Galaxy and Northern Thunder to join the A-League next season.
Both clubs now have two weeks to prove they can put together a viable operation in time for the start of the season, or else face another year on the sidelines.But the FFA also agreed to add yet another two teams in the future to take the league to twelve clubs...at least.
FFA chairman Frank Lowy indicated it is the FFA’s intention to expand in two stages – initially to ten teams and, at a later stage, to at least 12 teams.
Lowy said that a number of factors are considered when looking at expansion, including financial security, availability of a suitable stadium, the pool of players available, the management structure in place to support the club and the extent of local community support for a Hyundai A-League club.
“We also want to make sure that expansion can be absorbed by the existing clubs,” he said.
The board also agreed to grant licenses to consortia in Townsville and the Gold Coast, subject to certain criteria being met.
“We have advised the interested consortia that they have two weeks to satisfy certain criteria, which include financial criteria, to enable them to enter the competition next season,” Mr Lowy said.
“If they are able to satisfy the criteria within this timeframe, then there will be ten teams in the Hyundai A-League in 2008-09.
“If not, then they will be considered for entry in 2009-10.”
Mr Lowy said that the existing Australian-based Hyundai A-League clubs are already committed to implementing a National Youth League in season 4 which commences in August 2008.
“Ultimately, we believe the Hyundai A-League has the capacity to be at least a 12 team competition, but our approach needs to be prudent and planned,” Lowy added.
“Expansion of the Hyundai A-League is a critical issue to the continuing evolution and growth of football.
“It has to be right for football, right for the existing Hyundai A-League clubs, right for the new clubs and right for the local community.”
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