In a yet-to-be released statement leaked on social media, the Strikers blamed uncertainty around "many important financial aspects" of FFA's expansion criteria for their decision to withdraw the bid.

"The expectations around ongoing criteria are neither clear nor specific," the club's statement read.

"The confidence of our investment group in the financial sustainability has therefore been significantly eroded."

Although the club maintains that the Brisbane business-consortium backing the bid was "well capitalised" it appears financial restraints are at the heart of the club's withdrawal. 

Brisbane Strikers said that "countless man hours and tens-of-thousands of dollars" had been wasted in the prospective bid.

The Strikers' withdrawal opens up the path for a second Brisbane A-League club to the sole remaining public bid, Brisbane City.