FA announced today that they will meet in June with the AAFC, which represents NPL clubs interested in creating a national second division to finalize a model for the A-League second division.
The core of the meeting – apart from the decision on the NSD teams – will be to reach an agreement on the coordination of the A-League and NPL seasons in order to allow for future promotion and relegation as well as transfer windows and FFA Cup competitions enable.
This coincides with yesterday’s comments from Tony Pignata, CEO of Perth Glory, that the A-League will definitely break for international windows next season.
While A-League clubs want international breaks to hold on to their best players and the FA wants a second division to improve fan engagement, new channel Channel 10 reportedly wants the A-League season in October start.
However, in a statement cited by the Sydney Morning Herald, the FFA said it “will retain regulatory functions with respect to the professional leagues, including matters related to disciplinary and integrity issues on and off the field, registration of clubs, players and officials , the transfer system and the national match calendar.
“Our goal is to have a coordinated national game calendar in 2022. This includes discussions with the APL and Network Ten about the start of the 2021-22 A-League and Westfield W-League seasons in line with Football Australia’s goals . “
The later the A-League season starts, the more the end of the season, which includes its flagship games, competes directly with AFL and NRL games.
Network 10 is reportedly looking to spend big bucks promoting the competition before it kicks off next season in hopes that football can replace the huge valuation hole left by the Big Bash League when 10 lost the rights.
It’s also likely to rely heavily on the A-League – and other rumored football deals it plans to sign, such as the Asian Cup and the AFC Champions League – to advertise subscriptions to its new digital streaming service, Paramount + .
PLUS…
‘Final model’: Major A-League second division meeting scheduled for June
The Australian Association of Football Clubs (AAFC) has confirmed that an important meeting with Football Australia (FA) is scheduled for June as the planned National Second Division (NSD), which is originally scheduled to start in 2022, is expected to begin in 2023 .
PLUS…
Ikonomidis may have played the last glory match
Socceroos winger Chris Ikonomidis may have played his last A League game for Perth Glory. The 26-year-old checked his options in Kuwait.
Copyright © FTBL All rights reserved.
