Australian State Football Federations Delay Start Of FFA Cup Competition

Football Federation Australia's attempts to launch the FFA Cup "are being hampered by delays from the state federations in confirming their own qualification paths," according to Sebastian Hassett of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The governing body "was hoping to launch the tournament last month but has been forced to wait as the states and territories determine the dates and pre-tournaments they will use as a qualification base for the event proper." Each state and territory "needs to supply their qualifying teams by the end of June, with a start to the 32-team tournament proposed for July, at some point after the World Cup final" (SMH, 1/14).