A-League says bye to old format
EACH A-League club will have three byes in a 29-round season featuring newcomers Western United.
Football Federation Australia has announced there will be no split rounds or breaks for international dates in the next A-League season.
Western United’s entry has expanded the number of rounds from 27 to 29 in a season to start on October 11 and finish with a grand final on the weekend of May 16-17 next year.
FFA head of leagues Greg O’Rourke said Western United’s debut, and the Asian under-23 Championships in January next year, presented a mix of challenges for the ALeague.
The Asian under-23 tournament doubles as the qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“For the past eight seasons we have had 10 clubs who have played each other three times over 27 rounds,” O’Rourke said in a statement yesterday.
“With the introduction of Western United ... we needed to facilitate a bye each round.
“The presence of a bye necessitates that we apply a new format to the competition.
“This season, clubs will play each other twice with an additional six (matches) per club that will see some clubs play each other three times.”
O’Rourke said the full fixture would be released in July, adding the finals format would remain the same as last season.
Western Sydney Wanderers have added a second Swiss import to their A-League roster by signing experienced goalkeeper Daniel Lopar.
The 34-year old will be playing outside his home country for the first time after amassing 299 games in 13 years for Swiss Super League side FC St Gallen.
Lopar, who has agreed a one-year deal, joins Swiss international midfielder Primin Shwegler and former Newcastle Jets defender Daniel Georgievski as newcomers.