EXCLUSIVE: Craig Foster calls for 'unified voice' amid troubling A-League issues
A troubling cycle of financial problems in the A-League isn't new to Craig Foster but he says the issues at Western United have exposed a larger problem.
United have three days to lodge an appeal to save their club from being formerly withdrawn from the A-League in both the men's and women's competitions.
The club were stripped of their licence in the competition on August 8, with few details provided by Football Australia about the reason behind the decision.
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The lack of clarity around the situation has left all involved with the team in a state of limbo, with a recruitment ban and ongoing financial battles also hanging over the club.
The club vowed to appeal the decision to remove their licence hours after it was announced earlier this month, with a new deadline set to expire at 10am on Thursday.
Noah Botic of Western United celebrates after scoring a goal. Getty
Initially, the club had until Friday, August 16 to submit their appeal, but their request for an extension was granted by Football Australia.
On Monday, United confirmed that they have until August 21 to lodge the appeal. If they fail to do so within that time, their right to appeal will lapse.
If the club folds, all United players will be racing the clock to ink new deals with rival teams as the transfer window will close on September 17.
The men's team has already begun training and is allowed to continue with pre-season for the time being, while the women's team is in their off-season break.
Meanwhile, the rest of the league is awaiting confirmation on the fixtures.
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United's situation is not the first case of financial troubles reported in the A-League, with similar situations unfolding at Perth Glory and the Newcastle Jets in recent seasons, but Foster believes enough is enough when it comes to these dilemmas.
"Every football lover in the country has been put through these situations too many times ... we need to put an end to them," he told Wide World of Sports.
"As someone who has been involved with the game [across several roles], I've seen too many cycles over too many decades.
"The onus (is on) the APL management and Football Australia to articulate to not just Western United fans but all players and fans as to how this was able to occur and why it is no longer going to occur in the future.
"The game is not going to truly thrive, in my view, until it is completely unified. By that, I mean one project, one picture.
"What is the unified game strategy for everyone to be working together to ensure that not only that this doesn't happen again but also for the game to grow.
"We don't speak with one voice or complete alignment from top to bottom. It's all not speaking clearly to each other - that is what Western United's (case) is about.
"So much is tracking positively, but the game doesn't seem to be able to get its financial well being in order. As football lovers, we want to see that happen."
So, how can Football Australia reach a unified voice?
Foster believes it must start with a plea from the playing group.
"I think there is some governance reform that should be on the agenda to get football to a place where this is never going to happen again," he continued.
"The things that we are seeing today have been very common over the last few years; it is nothing new. The question is, what is the actual vision of the game?
Western United thanks fans after the A-League Men Semi Final match against Melbourne City in 2025. Getty
"How are we going to get beyond these small troubles? What do we need to do to solve them all? The answer to that is to be fully unified from top to bottom.
"That is going to take leadership and courage. The players are going to have to call for it. Some people are going to have to vote against their own interests.
"The players have shown that they can do that in the past. They have consistently demonstrated that they can put the game first.
"But can everyone involved in football in Australia say the same thing?"
The new A-League season is set to kick off on Friday, October 17.
