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The original was posted on /r/aleague by /u/hoogstra on 2025-07-01 09:56:19+00:00.

As a voice for the supporters of Western United Football Club, we feel a responsibility to raise our deep concern about the ongoing financial situation of our club and the status of the proposed change in ownership.

For several months, we granted the club’s leadership a degree of grace and good faith. Despite repeated reports that the club failed to pay players’ wages and superannuation in a timely manner and had outstanding debts with creditors, we understood that negotiations with KAM Melbourne were underway to secure new investment and resolve these issues. Acknowledging the sensitive nature of such transactions, we refrained from public comment to allow the process to proceed.

Recent reports confirm that players have been paid late for the third month in a row, with payments to non-playing staff also falling behind. FIFA’s imposition of a transfer ban over an unpaid player obligation, and the revelation that the APL have yet to receive any formal documentation confirming the change of ownership – more than six weeks after it was announced – have only deepened uncertainty.

In our previous discussions with the club, the FRG expressed the firm position that transparent and timely communication is important in maintaining the trust and confidence of the fanbase. It is apparent to all that the club’s leadership has failed to meet those minimum expectations.

We are now in a position where we can no longer remain silent.

This ongoing situation is unacceptable. Each missed payment shows a disregard for the basic commitments owed to the people who represent our club on the pitch and behind the scenes. It damages the trust and confidence of the fanbase, erodes the club’s reputation in Australian football, and creates enormous stress and anxiety for players and staff – many of whom are approaching the end of their contracts and deserve clarity about their futures.

We are immensely proud of what Western United has achieved since its inception in 2018. While some of the club’s original goals – most notably, the construction of a permanent home – remain unrealised, our values, our style of play, our promotion of outstanding young Australian talent, and our ambition to build a club that truly represents the people of the West remain a source of pride. We fear that any further delay in addressing these issues and providing clear answers will irreparably damage what makes Western United a special club to belong to.

The time for transparency and decisive action is now.

We call upon our Chairman Jason Sourasis, the Western United board, Western Melbourne Group, and KAM Melbourne to collectively:

• Provide a clear and honest update about the progress and current status of the transfer of ownership, as a demonstration of respect for the loyal Western United supporters;

• Publicly assure fans that the future of our club remains secure and that Western United will compete in the A-Leagues for the 2025/26 season and beyond;

• Complete the proposed transfer of ownership as quickly as possible; and

• In the interim, make the timely payment of all players and staff an immediate and non-negotiable priority.

As supporters, we remain steadfast behind our players and staff, whose professionalism and resilience during these challenges have been extraordinary. But trust cannot be rebuilt without honest communication and urgent action.

Western United is more than a business – it is a community. This community deserves accountability, respect, and certainty about its future.

Forever West,

The Western United Fan Representative Group