A-League officials have been accused of negotiating in bad faith by speaking to the media within hours of their latest pay offer, as the players’ union said the conduct “continues to erode … trust”. The men’s and women’s competitions remain without a bargaining agreement two months before the start of the new season.
Xabi Alonso refused to confirm Chelsea are interested in signing the veterans Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson after his first game in charge of the team, a 6-4 pre-season victory against Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday, but said he was looking to build a squad that had “proper balance”. Chelsea are understood to be in talks over a surprise move to sign the 35-year-old Welbeck from Brighton, with the club also reportedly interested in signing the 36-year-old Henderson from Brentford.
The future of Canberra United has been secured, with a new owner found for the two-time A-League Women champions. After two years of uncertainty, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) announced on Friday that Australian Sports Group (ASG) has taken charge of Canberra’s licence.
Stalled CBA negotiations have cast a pall over the game in Australia when it might be harnessing interest around the Socceroos’ World Cup run . The heartbreak from the Socceroos’ penalty shootout defeat to Egypt and exit from the World Cup is still raw, but normal programming in Australian football is starting to resume.
Auckland FC have won their first A-League Men championship title after defeating all-time record-holders Sydney FC 1-0 in front of a record crowd in Auckland on Saturday night.
Former Sydney FC coach Steve Corica’s resurrection from Sky Blues scapegoat to Auckland FC hero is complete after guiding the Black Knights to grand final glory over his old club.
A win for the Black Knights in front of a fervent home crowd could sell its own story, but Patrick Kisnorbo’s dogged Sky Blues stand in the way. The best-laid plans of the A-League Men often go awry.
Juan Mata had been written off, another caught in the mire of Australian football despite being a World Cup winner. Ever-smiling, now the 38-year-old also has the last laugh, having won the A-League Men’s Johnny Warren medal, the award for the competition’s player of the year.
Sydney FC’s head coach Patrick Kisnorbo has hailed the “resilience and mental toughness” of his side as they punched their ticket to the A-League Men grand final, winning a pulsating semi-final against premiers Newcastle on penalties.
Newcastle has won the A-League Premier’s Plate for the first time in the club’s history.