The Australian players' union, the PFA, has called for the A-League to follow in the footsteps of the AFL and adopt an independent commission to oversee the management of the competition, once the league splits from Football Federation Australia next season.

The support for an independent commission in the A-League is in response to concerns professional football could be run according to the financial interests of club owners rather than benefit of the broader game in Australia.

Old model: PFA chief John Didulica wants an independent commission to run the A-League. Credit:AAP

The PFA's chief executive, John Didulica, is fully supportive of A-League independence where by the competition will be owned by the clubs in hopes to encourage more investment from owners and increase the value of club licences.

However, his support for such a model includes the A-League running the full-length towards independent governance and for a separate board to manage the competition, with those members elected by the club owners. He has no immediate concerns of self-interest of clubs driving governange but is eager to safe-guard the A-League for the future with an independent commission.