Western United were hopeful of a future return to the A-League after being booted out ahead of the 2025/26 season following a financial collapse and court-ordered windup of owners Western Melbourne Group (WMG).
The club declared at the start of the 2025/26 campaign that they were in "hibernation" whilst a whole host of off-field issues related to ownership, administration and financing were resolved.
They narrowly avoided liquidation earlier this year after funds to settle a $15m ATO debt had been secured, whilst the club continued in a limited capacity by fielding a team in the third-tier Victoria Premier League.
A return in 2026/27 had then been ruled out after Football Australia rejected an application to have their licence reinstated after the club had not satisfied the criteria for a licence, with the club's ownership group continuing to be pursued by creditors over outstanding debts.
With WMG having gone into receivership in July, and further winding up orders imminent, APL decided at the weekend that enough was enough and tore up the agreement that placed Western United's future in limbo.
"Since the club was placed into conditional hibernation in September 2025, the APL has been in close consultation with Western United as they've worked through financial, governance and legal matters to try and rebuild the club," APL chairman Stephen Conroy said on Monday afternoon.
"The APL board has since taken the decision to terminate Western United's club participation agreement. The club was in breach of a number of its obligations under that agreement, including its obligation to comply with the Football Australia National Club Licensing Regulations.
"It's been a difficult period for everyone connected to Western United -- and we want to acknowledge the management, staff, players and especially the fans -- who have given so much to the Club and will no doubt be hurt by this news."
Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.
