Former NSW Premier Morris Iemma is "urging Football Federation Australia to press on with A-League expansion immediately" and "put aside any political differences in the best interests of the game," according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. An announcement on the two successful candidates to join the competition is set to be made on Oct. 31, but it is understood the organization is "considering scrapping that time frame after losing the battle to hold back governance reforms." At an Oct. 15 meeting, outgoing FFA Chair Steven Lowy and the board will deliberate whether or not to "continue with the expansion process" for the '19-20 season or "pass on the responsibility" to the incoming chairs and directors, who will be appointed in November. Iemma, the chair of the Southern Expansion bid from Sydney's south, said that the game's internal issues "should not stymie the expansion process." Iemma: "If there's a change [of FFA board] on November 7th, there shouldn't be a delay. If there is, a decision should be made in December. This is not the kind of decision you put off for four months, five months, six months or 12 months." The Southern Expansion bid is financially backed by Hong Kong-based property company JiaYuan and "while a lengthy delay is unwanted," the investors "will not be deterred." Iemma: "For us, we're hanging in for the long haul" (SMH, 10/8).
NO FFA CUP SWITCHES: In Sydney, Smithies & Kemp reported the FFA Cup will "remain a midweek fixture for the foreseeable future," despite calls for it to be played on a standalone Saturday before the start of the A-League season as a showpiece event. Adelaide United will host Sydney FC on Tuesday, Oct. 30, in this year's final, "sandwiched" between the Sydney derby three days before and a trip to face Melbourne City three days later. Discussions were reportedly had to play the game this Saturday after the success of last Saturday's derby in the semifinal, which attracted 14,436 fans to Penrith Stadium. But the fact that Sydney FC will also travel to Adelaide a week later for the opening game of the A-League season -- and "a determination to observe the integrity" of this weekend’s int'l break -- meant FFA officials "decided to proceed" with the Tuesday final originally slated when the competition timetable was "laid down earlier this year" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 10/8).
