[mkdf_dropcaps type=”normal” color=”#f55549″ background_color=””]F[/mkdf_dropcaps]
ootball Federation Australia (FFA) and the A-League and W-League have signed an official agreement to grant the competitions independence from the governing body, meaning the clubs will now control their own competitions.

The clubs will now be responsible for marketing, commercial, and fixtures, with plans to source outside investment to help clubs cope with the financial strains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

FFA CEO, James Johnson, said the separation will be in effect for the start of the upcoming A-League and W-League seasons.

“We are in the final stage of the unbundling process and have reached an agreement with the clubs and member federations,” Johnson said.

“The unbundling is now being operationalised and will come into full effect for the start of this coming A-League and W-League season.

“The clubs will become the league’s owner and operator and the FFA will become the regulator of the Australia professional game,” he said.

As part of the move, the FFA will still have the final word on re-structure proposals of the competitions, acting as a regulator for the two leagues, with the FFA already indicating it wants the competitions to move to the winter to line up with the grassroots football competitions in Australia.

The official agreement follows an in-principle agreement that was signed in July 2019.