Australian soccer thrown into chaos just weeks out from the new season

Australian soccer has been plunged into fresh turmoil just weeks before the new season after Melbourne’s Western United were officially kicked out of the A-League.

The Australian Professional Leagues confirmed on Monday that it had terminated the club’s participation agreement, ending its involvement in both the men’s and women’s competitions.

Western United, based in Tarneit, had been put into hibernation before the 2025-26 season but insisted: ‘This is not a farewell, nor is it a step back.’

However, its attempted revival unravelled amid tax debts, licensing problems, receivership proceedings and legal action involving companies connected to the club.

‘The club was in breach of a number of its obligations under that agreement, including its obligation to comply with the Football Australia National Club Licensing Regulations,’ APL chairperson Stephen Conroy said.

‘It’s been a difficult period for everyone connected to Western United – and we want to acknowledge the management, staff, players and especially the fans – who have given so much to the club and will no doubt be hurt by this news.’

Western United avoided liquidation earlier this year after the Australian Taxation Office pursued it over a reported $15.5million debt.

Football Australia rejected its licence application in May before receivers took control of parent company WMG Holdings in July.

The crisis is also linked to Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury through Western United co-director Jason Sourasis, his former manager and financial adviser.

Pendlebury has launched legal action against Sourasis over allegations that millions of dollars were mishandled through investments. Sourasis denies the allegations and is defending the claims.

Sourasis was a key figure behind Western United and its proposed sporting and retail precinct at Tarneit, which was intended to become the club’s permanent home in Melbourne’s west.

Another company he oversaw, Sayers Road Investment Co, helped finance the precinct before being ordered into liquidation.

Western United entered the A-League in 2019 promising a privately-owned stadium in Melbourne’s west, but the project never materialised as planned.

A proposed $100million takeover by American group KAM Sports also failed to proceed.

The club’s demise has renewed concerns about the wider A-League, with six clubs facing serious questions about their viability or ownership over a two-year period.

Conroy previously acknowledged ‘an unsustainable trend in terms of [club] performance, their profitability, their losses’.

The APL board will now consider future expansion and the fate of Western United’s licence.