FFA taking action

[Ithuriel]

Found this article on the SMH website.

A-league eyes delayed gain with late start

A-League eyes delayed gain with late start Sebastian Hassett
October 14, 2010

THE fallout from the most anonymous start to an A-League season is set to have immediate ramifications, with Football Federation Australia ready to delay the beginning of the next campaign to October, after the NRL and AFL seasons.

The A-League will break ranks with Europe in a bid to seek greater attention by allowing traditional winter sports to finish their seasons first.

However, the season is not expected to be shortened, with the finals now expected to be in May, when all the major domestic and European leagues conclude.

Advertisement: Story continues below FFA chairman Frank Lowy said yesterday that although the move had not yet been finalised, he expected the late start to come into force next season.

''We are looking at starting the season a bit later and hopefully finishing a bit later, hopefully,'' he said. ''Of course, we need all the stakeholders [to agree] for that.''

Asked if it would present problems with access to stadiums as competing sports began their seasons, Lowy replied: ''There's already an issue with that now.''

If Australia fails to win its bid to host the 2022 World Cup, next season's A-League will be perhaps its most critical, with the long-term future of the competition sure to come under increased scrutiny.

A midweek knockout competition - provisionally named the FFA Cup - will also proceed. It is likely to begin in the mid-reaches of the state leagues before bringing in the A-League clubs at the later stages, most likely at the round of 32.

The FFA has also heeded the advice of technical director Han Berger by reducing the number of A-League import spots from five to four for next season. Berger has been an outspoken critic of the number of sub-par foreigners in the competition, arguing their selection is hindering opportunities for local youngsters.

Chief executive Ben Buckley has reaffirmed the FFA's commitment to having a team in western Sydney even if the Sydney Rovers venture, which is intended to enter the A-League next season, falls through because of a lack of funding. The FFA will decide the Rovers' future tomorrow.