Franchise Notes: A-League Hopeful 'Disappointed' In FFA For W-League Refusal

A-League hopeful club Southern Expansion criticized Football Federation Australia for not accepting its "offer to enter a team in the W-League next season." The Chinese-backed group for the bid covering the St. George, Sutherland and Illawarra regions in NSW expressed its "deep disappointment" to the governing body and asked CEO David Gallop to "reconsider their decision." Bid Chair Les Murray wrote to Gallop last month saying that the club's preparations "progressed so well they were ready to run a W-League team, which would take the competition to 10 teams like the A-League" (AAP, 5/18).

Trepca ‘89, the top side in the Kosovan Superleague, is reportedly set to "become the first team from the former Serbian province to compete in the Champions League." Trepca is one of four football clubs from Kosovo which has met UEFA's licensing criteria and "will take part in the Champions League qualifiers" on June 27 or 28. Kosovo was granted UEFA membership in May '16, "despite strong resistance from Serbia" (RT, 5/17).