A-League Head Greg O'Rourke "indicated the planned expansion of the competition for next season might be delayed" until the '20-21 season, according to Adrian Warren of the AAP. While O'Rourke hoped the new FFA board, set to be elected later this month, "could make a decision on the two successful bidders by the end of January," he said that their entry "might not happen" until '20-21. O'Rourke said, "A number of bidders have said if they were to know in December or January, that would still be viable for them to come in the 2019-20 season, but any later than that would probably be too short a run-up." Asked if that was the deadline for a decision for expansion in '19-20, O'Rourke said, "It's not so much about the decision -- it's about actually the timing of the entry. The decision itself could still be made (by then), but the timing of their entry could be delayed to give them an 18-month run-up instead of a six-month run-up" (AAP, 11/5). In Sydney, Emma Kemp reported the extra time "might suit some bids, particularly those seeking to build new stadiums." The same goes for "Victorian frontrunner" Team 11, which is relying on state government support and "must now wait until this month’s election plays out." FFA is in the midst of formal meetings with all bidders to address concerns in their submissions (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 11/5).
