Football Federation Australia and Professional Footballers Australia will "take another step" on Tuesday toward resolving a "long-running dispute over a new collective bargaining agreement," according to Ray Gatt of THE AUSTRALIAN. The warring parties, which have "been at loggerheads for almost 12 months, will meet for the second time in five days in Sydney amid expectations the matter could take significant strides" toward resolution. FFA and PFA resumed talks Friday following an "acrimonious falling-out that threatened to affect Australia's World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh next month" and disrupt the start of the new A-League season in October. PFA has been seeking a "better pay deal for the Socceroos and Matildas and an increase in the A-League salary cap and wages" but FFA has argued it is "not in a position to do so." The latest development "follows reports that cash-strapped Brisbane Roar have come good with the final instalment in wages to their players." Brisbane's owners, the Bakrie group, is selling the club to a consortium of investors "but concerns have been raised over how long the deal is taking to be completed" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 8/25).
