A-League owners have warned the competition urgently needs $120m spent on it to bring it up to scratch...and urged Football Federation Australia to let go of the reins.
The FFA yesterday revealed the full report from the New Leagues Working Group set up to create the new breakaway A-League structure in the wake of the boardroom coup late last year.
But today the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association - set up to represent the A-League owners - criticised the limited time the working group was given to prepare the report.
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The new breakaway league was approved by the FFA in October but the committee was only set up to finalise the details six weeks ago.
The APFCA said the process should have taken six months to do it justice.
"This has placed an unnecessary time pressure on what was and is a vital process for the Australian game," they said in a statement today.
The FFA yesterday conceded the process was proving more complex than first estimated and extended the deadline for the final report until June 30.
But the APFCA want to see more action – and warned owners were already facing a $25m bill for this season alone.
To keep the A-League a viable spectacle – which will bring back fans and return ratings to a level that will keep TV companies interested – will cost a further $120m over the next four years, they say.
And the owners stress that if they are to invest that kind of cash into the league, they want to make sure they own and run it.
"The APFCA is of the strong view that Australian football is at a critical juncture in its history," said the APFCA statement.
APFCA Chairman Paul Lederer added: “The message from the broadcaster and sponsors is clear.
"Our league needs to be immediately turned around and put on a growth trajectory, together with the W- and Y-Leagues. They must be invested in now.
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