sport, soccer

Canberra's A-League bid will push ahead with plans to build more momentum behind their proposal for a licence despite growing concerns the FFA board is considering scrapping the expansion process. The FFA's major reforms earlier this week will lead to a change in leadership at the organisation as eight bidding teams nervously wait to learn how it will affect their dreams of joining the A-League. The FFA board was expected to meet on October 15 to discuss the expansion plans, with a decision on the two successful bids to be made public on October 31. But Fairfax Media understands a decision may not be made for at least a year and the FFA board is at odds as to whether to push ahead or leave it up to a new chairman and board in November. It's understood the Canberra proposal, led by Michael Caggiano, is rated highly by the FFA hierarchy and is progressing with plans on the assumption the decision will be made in the coming weeks. Canberra is one of the only "ready to go" bids, with a stadium deal, government support, a commitment from members and links to overseas clubs already put in place by the bid officials. The FFA's board suffered a major political blow earlier this week after governance reforms were passed by its members, leading to a major devolution of power within the FFA's structure. As a result, FFA chairman Steven Lowy announced he would stand down and not recontest his position at November's AGM while it's expected at least three other members from the FFA's independent board could follow him out the door. The existing board will hold its final meeting under the tenure of Lowy on October 15. Sources have informed Fairfax Media that among the items on its agenda is whether to continue with A-League expansion in light of Tuesday's reforms. Speaking on Tuesday, Lowy praised the "range of capable and credible bidders that would be ready to expand the game under the timetable that the FFA board has set", while warning of "ramifications" of Tuesdays' vote. Any delay in the expansion would have a major impact on sponsorship commitments and plans to secure players, staff and coaches for their creation. Canberra has signed more than 5000 members, has secured a financial commitment from the ACT government and is working with international companies in the hope of securing corporate support. It's understood that with the anticipated upheaval of the FFA board, a number of members have voiced their disenchantment at Tuesday's vote for reforms and expressed their unwillingness to make a decision on an A-League expansion process they will no longer oversee. It's understood that the head of the A-League, Greg O'Rourke, was set to make a presentation on the bidding process he is overseeing to the board on October 15, when the board was scheduled to make its recommendation on the successful bids. That now appears to be in doubt. While some board members are eager to push ahead with expansion, others are reluctant as a result of Tuesday's defeat in the reforms process. This uncertainty comes despite there being no assurances that three board members and chairman Lowy would hold their seats beyond November, when their terms finished and they were up for re-election. The FFA began the expansion process in March and is scheduled to announce the two new entrants into the A-League by October 31, with the timeline for the process listed public on the competition's website. News of the uncertainty over the timelines has angered several bidders known to Fairfax Media who have invested heavily in the process under the proposed timelines. "Our bid has put in over $1 million in cash to engage in the best consultants. Up until days ago we were still told that expansion would go ahead on October 31," one senior bid team member said. Should the FFA board decide not to elect two new entrants into the A-League at the October 15 board meeting, it's understood expansion will still take place at a later date but not before the 2020-21 season. The FFA's management team – which has overseen the process – is understood to be eager to go ahead with expansion as soon as possible if viable, so too several A-League clubs and the players' union.

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