The Aporia · A-League season start under threat with referees on strike

Simon Smale

25 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

🔮 AUS versus ENG Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, NSW versus WAU Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, VIC versus QUE Thu, 3 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus TAS Thu, 3 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Sat, 5 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Wed, 9 Dec, 1:20 pm, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Sat, 12 Dec, 8:10 pm, Game not started, MER versus PER Mon, 14 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Tue, 15 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Tue, 15 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Tue, 15 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, BRI versus SYS Wed, 16 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Wed, 16 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus ADE Thu, 17 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Thu, 17 Dec, 11:30 am, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Thu, 17 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, HOB versus BRI Fri, 18 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Fri, 18 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus ADE Sat, 19 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Sat, 19 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus SYS Sun, 20 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Sun, 20 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus HOB Mon, 21 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Mon, 21 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus BRI Tue, 22 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYS versus MER Wed, 23 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, ADE versus SYT Thu, 24 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MER versus HOB Sat, 26 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Sat, 26 Dec, 6:05 pm, Game not started, SYS versus BRI Sat, 26 Dec, 9:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus MES Sun, 27 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus MER Mon, 28 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, BRI versus ADE Tue, 29 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, HOB versus MES Wed, 30 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus SYT live Live updates: South Africa vs Australia, third Test, day five from Newlands, Cape Town Australia looks to chase down 288 runs to win the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, with series honours on the line. Follow all the action in our live blog, check out the stats in our match Scorecard and ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage. Submit a comment or question Live updates What happened yesterday? There were plenty around the traps who thought that, perhaps, the Test would be finished yesterday.

2026-10-31 · assertive framing · Live: Australia starts tough chase with series victory over South Africa on the line

🔮 If Kez [Carey] and I could have added another 50, that would have been really nice.

2026-10-30 · assertive framing · Live: Australia looking to push home advantage in Cape Town Test

🔮 Mon, 23 Nov, 1:30 pm, Game not started, WAU versus TAS Tue, 24 Nov, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus VIC Tue, 24 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Wed, 25 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MRW versus BHW Thu, 26 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, STW versus ASW Thu, 26 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, SSW versus MSW Fri, 27 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Fri, 27 Nov, 9:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus HHW Sat, 28 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, MRW versus MSW Sat, 28 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, STW versus SSW Sun, 29 Nov, 12:00 pm, Game not started, BHW versus PSW Sun, 29 Nov, 3:30 pm, Game not started, ASW versus HHW Sun, 29 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Tue, 1 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Wed, 2 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, NSW versus WAU Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, VIC versus QUE Thu, 3 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus TAS Thu, 3 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Sat, 5 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Wed, 9 Dec, 1:20 pm, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Sat, 12 Dec, 8:10 pm, Game not started, MER versus PER Mon, 14 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Tue, 15 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Tue, 15 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Tue, 15 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, BRI versus SYS Wed, 16 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Wed, 16 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus ADE Thu, 17 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Thu, 17 Dec, 11:30 am, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Thu, 17 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, HOB versus BRI Fri, 18 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Fri, 18 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus ADE Sat, 19 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Sat, 19 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus SYS Sun, 20 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Sun, 20 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus HOB Mon, 21 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Mon, 21 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus BRI Tue, 22 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYS versus MER Wed, 23 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, ADE versus SYT Thu, 24 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MER versus HOB Sat, 26 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Sat, 26 Dec, 6:05 pm, Game not started, SYS versus BRI Sat, 26 Dec, 9:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus MES Sun, 27 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus MER Mon, 28 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, BRI versus ADE live Live updates: South Africa vs Australia, third Test, day three from Newlands, Cape Town Australia has a first innings lead over South Africa, and will be looking to build on that on day three of the deciding Test in Cape Town.

2026-10-29 · assertive framing · Live: Australia looks to press home its advantage on day three in Cape Town

🔮 New: Filters Choose what information you see below by using filters Some advice for Head and Renshaw Hi Chris, it would be an understatement to say I'm a bit fidgety waiting for the Aussies start batting.

2026-10-28 · assertive framing · Live: Australia begins day two at crease after Starc blitz flattens South Africa

🔮 Sat, 22 Aug, 11:00 pm, Final score, AUS 210, BAN 64 & 95 Fri, 11 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 117, AAW 4/121 Mon, 14 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, ZIM 235, AUS 8/294 Mon, 14 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 7/148, AAW 2/178 Wed, 16 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 161, AAW 5/168 Thu, 17 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, ZIM 272, AUS 6/356 Thu, 17 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, INU 6/182, AUU 7/175 Thu, 17 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, WAU 9/238, SAM 0/58 Fri, 18 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, QUE 7/335, VIC 7/339 Sat, 19 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, ZIM 8/271, AUS 9/272 Sat, 19 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 6/239, AAW 235 Sat, 19 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, WAU 115, TAS 1/117 Sun, 20 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, INU 7/341, AUU 239 Mon, 21 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, QUE 358, NSW 6/359 Tue, 22 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 6/338, AAW 8/341 Tue, 22 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, INU 4/255, AUU 254 Tue, 22 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SAM 7/383, TAS 8/376 Wed, 23 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SAF 8/297, AUS 230 Thu, 24 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 6/364, AAW 9/362 Thu, 24 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, INA 334 & 199, AUA 171 & 200 Thu, 24 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, VIC 212, NSW 257 Sat, 26 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SAF 9/365, AUS 333 Mon, 28 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, INU 494, AUU 217 & 229 Mon, 28 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SYW 4/168, QUW 167 Mon, 28 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, VIW 8/293, SAS 7/290 Mon, 28 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, WAW 6/236, TAW 232 Tue, 29 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SAF 4/145, AUS 9/322 Wed, 30 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 364 & 257, AAW 176 & 164 Wed, 30 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SYW 174, QUW 4/285 Wed, 30 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, WAW 7/273, TAW 7/299 Thu, 1 Oct, 2:00 pm, Final score, VIW -, SAS - Thu, 1 Oct, 11:00 pm, Final score, INA 167 & 9/310, AUA 358 & 4/173d Tue, 6 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, INA 149, AUA 274 Tue, 6 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, QUW 9/266, BAW 7/196 Wed, 7 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, INU 315 & 0/11, AUU 174 & 151 Fri, 9 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, AUW 3/168, BAW 166 Fri, 9 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, INA 206, AUA 275 Sat, 10 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, VIC 244 & 224, SAM 508 Sun, 11 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, AUW 1/222, BAW 6/220 Sun, 11 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, INA 275, AUA 226 Sun, 11 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, NSW 9/500d, TAS 245 & 5/402 Sun, 11 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, WAU 175 & 8/201, QUE 307 & 68 Mon, 12 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, VIC 241, SAM 311 Mon, 12 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, HHW 7/127, ACM 100 Mon, 12 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SSW 3/136, BHW 90 Mon, 12 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, MRW 7/138, PSW 4/139 Mon, 12 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, STW 3/79, MSW 78 Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SAF 284 & 206, AUS 390 & 6/314d Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, NSW 158, TAS 203 Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, WAU 246, QUE 261 Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SSW 3/78, ACM 7/77 Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, ASW 4/183, PSW 8/182 Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, STW -, BHW - Wed, 14 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, AUW 2/175, BAW 172 Wed, 14 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, MRW 4/180, MSW 6/179 Wed, 14 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, ASW 5/165, HHW 8/136 Fri, 16 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, BHW 4/86, ACM 83 Sat, 17 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SAM 7/397, QUE 271 Sat, 17 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, HHW 5/136, PSW 8/166 Sat, 17 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, STW 5/122, MRW 9/121 Sat, 17 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, ACM 4/129, MSW 6/132 Sat, 17 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SSW 9/105, ASW 6/143 Sun, 18 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, AUW 8/165, NZW 2/162 Sun, 18 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, MRW 2/132, HHW 8/129 Sun, 18 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, BHW 129, ASW 6/139 Sun, 18 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, STW 2/93, PSW 92 Sun, 18 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SSW 8/155, MSW 5/158 Sun, 18 Oct, 7:15 pm, Live score, AUW -, BAW - Tue, 20 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, AUW 7/167, NZW 8/127 Tue, 20 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, ASW 6/116, PSW 5/118 Tue, 20 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, STW 9/152, SSW 6/153 Tue, 20 Oct, 7:15 pm, Live score, AUW -, BAW - Wed, 21 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SAM 203 & 145, QUE 238 & 4/114 Wed, 21 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, PSW 7/134, SSW 8/149 Thu, 22 Oct, 12:00 am, Live score, SAF 9/425d, AUS 99 & 4/156 f/o Thu, 22 Oct, 12:00 am, Live score, AUW -, NZW - Thu, 22 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, TAS 241 & 236, VIC 207 & 266 Thu, 22 Oct, 12:00 am, Live score, WAU 339 & 6/183, NSW 6/440d & 5/262d Thu, 22 Oct, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUW versus BAW Sat, 24 Oct, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAS versus VIC Sat, 24 Oct, 5:00 pm, Game not started, WAU versus NSW Tue, 27 Oct, 7:30 pm, Game not started, SAF versus AUS Wed, 28 Oct, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus WAU Thu, 29 Oct, 3:40 pm, Game not started, MRW versus STW Thu, 29 Oct, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MSW versus HHW Fri, 30 Oct, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAS versus NSW Fri, 30 Oct, 11:45 am, Game not started, AU6 versus ONG Fri, 30 Oct, 7:05 pm, Game not started, EN6 versus AU6 Fri, 30 Oct, 7:10 pm, Game not started, BHW versus SSW Sat, 31 Oct, 11:00 am, Game not started, QUE versus VIC Sat, 31 Oct, 3:40 pm, Game not started, ASW versus MSW Sat, 31 Oct, 7:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus MRW Sun, 1 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, STW versus BHW Sun, 1 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, SSW versus HHW Mon, 2 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MSW versus PSW Wed, 4 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, HHW versus MRW Thu, 5 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, ASW versus BHW Thu, 5 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, STW versus PSW Fri, 6 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MSW versus SSW Sat, 7 Nov, 2:30 pm, Game not started, WAU versus ENG Sat, 7 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, MRW versus ASW Sat, 7 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, BHW versus HHW Sun, 8 Nov, 1:40 pm, Game not started, SSW versus STW Sun, 8 Nov, 5:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus MSW Tue, 10 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, HHW versus ASW Wed, 11 Nov, 10:30 am, Game not started, NSW versus SAM Wed, 11 Nov, 10:30 am, Game not started, VIC versus WAU Wed, 11 Nov, 11:30 am, Game not started, QUE versus TAS Wed, 11 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus STW Thu, 12 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, MSW versus BHW Thu, 12 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MRW versus SSW Fri, 13 Nov, 2:30 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Sat, 14 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, HHW versus BHW Sat, 14 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus ASW Sun, 15 Nov, 11:00 am, Game not started, SSW versus MRW Sun, 15 Nov, 2:30 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Mon, 16 Nov, 10:00 am, Game not started, NSW versus SAM Mon, 16 Nov, 11:00 am, Game not started, QUE versus TAS Mon, 16 Nov, 2:00 pm, Game not started, VIC versus WAU Mon, 16 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, STW versus MSW Tue, 17 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, ASW versus SSW Wed, 18 Nov, 2:30 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Thu, 19 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, HHW versus PSW Thu, 19 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, BHW versus STW Fri, 20 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, ASW versus MRW Sat, 21 Nov, 12:00 pm, Game not started, HHW versus STW Sat, 21 Nov, 3:30 pm, Game not started, SSW versus PSW Sat, 21 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Sun, 22 Nov, 10:30 am, Game not started, NSW versus QUE Sun, 22 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, BHW versus ASW Sun, 22 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MSW versus MRW Mon, 23 Nov, 1:30 pm, Game not started, WAU versus TAS Tue, 24 Nov, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus VIC Tue, 24 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Wed, 25 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MRW versus BHW Thu, 26 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, STW versus ASW Thu, 26 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, SSW versus MSW Fri, 27 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Fri, 27 Nov, 9:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus HHW Sat, 28 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, MRW versus MSW Sat, 28 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, STW versus SSW Sun, 29 Nov, 12:00 pm, Game not started, BHW versus PSW Sun, 29 Nov, 3:30 pm, Game not started, ASW versus HHW Sun, 29 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Tue, 1 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Wed, 2 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, NSW versus WAU Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, VIC versus QUE Thu, 3 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus TAS Thu, 3 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Sat, 5 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Wed, 9 Dec, 1:20 pm, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Sat, 12 Dec, 8:10 pm, Game not started, MER versus PER Mon, 14 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Tue, 15 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Tue, 15 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Tue, 15 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, BRI versus SYS Wed, 16 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Wed, 16 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus ADE Thu, 17 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Thu, 17 Dec, 11:30 am, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Thu, 17 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, HOB versus BRI Fri, 18 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Fri, 18 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus ADE Sat, 19 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Sat, 19 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus SYS Sun, 20 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Sun, 20 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus HOB Mon, 21 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Mon, 21 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus BRI live Live updates: South Africa vs Australia, second Test, day five from St George's Park in Gqeberha South Africa are odds on to level the series with victory in the second Test, with Australia needing a monumental batting effort to salvage a draw in Gqeberha. Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage. Submit a comment or question Live updates New: Filters Choose what information you see below by using filters Marco's mastery He may have a perpetual scowl on his face on field, but Marco Jansen had plenty to smile about during yesterday's day's play, as he claimed 5-33 in 11 overs. The 26-year-old has had a good mate, scoring 85 runs on Tuesday, his second-highest Test score, before backing up with an accurate display of seam bowling yesterday.

2026-10-22 · assertive framing · Live: Australia battling to avoid defeat in second Test

🔮 The forecast then for the rest of the week also looks improved, so a result here in Gqeberha is not at all out of the question.

2026-10-19 · assertive framing · Live: Australia battles the weather on day two of second Test

🔮 I'd suggest that means Cameron Green is not going to be selected - and I'd guess that Nathan Lyon might miss out too.

2026-10-18 · assertive framing · Live: Australia, South Africa set for second Test in drizzly Gqeberha

🔮 Later, a tribute to Jai Arrow will be held before the NRL decider between the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights.

2026-10-04 · assertive framing · Live: Roosters and Broncos back at it in another NRLW grand final

🔮 Competing in a point-to-point ocean swim couldn't have been more different from the 125 tumble turns she completed in competition at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre in the past four days.

2026-10-03 · assertive framing · FOMO and 4am wake-up call get Pallister in the ocean

🔮 "It will prevent you from pretty much doing everything in your daily functions; including walking, running, driving, for a fair period of time," he said.

2026-10-02 · assertive framing · How Assefa ran third fastest marathon ever despite 'destroyed' Achilles

Also by Simon Smale

Live: Australia starts tough chase with series victory over South Africa on the line

2026-10-31 · ABC News (AU)

Live: Australia looking to push home advantage in Cape Town Test

2026-10-30 · ABC News (AU)

Live: Australia looks to press home its advantage on day three in Cape Town

2026-10-29 · ABC News (AU)

Live: Australia begins day two at crease after Starc blitz flattens South Africa

2026-10-28 · ABC News (AU)

Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 25 articles by Simon Smale →

It is seemingly a rare occurrence indeed that Australian football does not find itself in some degree of turmoil. asserted

football → find → turmoil

So it is perhaps of little surprise that as the A-League Men's and Women's seasons fast approach, the code is once again lurching towards another crisis. asserted

code → approach → crisis

The nations top referees have been on strike since September 4, citing "significant changes to the elite refereeing structure" proposed by Football Australia (FA). asserted

referees → cite → Australia

The change would see the referees contracted directly by the league, instead of FA. asserted

referees → see → league

The Professional Football Referees Association (PFRA) says those changes would be "detrimental to individual referees and represent a drastic step backwards for the professional refereeing program". asserted

changes → say → program

The A-League seasons begin in four weeks. asserted

seasons → begin → weeks

And the parties are, as things stand, at something of a stalemate. asserted

things → stand → stalemate

The APL and FA have all told ABC Sport they are continuing to work together with the aim of reaching a resolution. asserted

they → tell → resolution

The referee's body said in a statement earlier this month that it would "continue to engage with Football Australia with the aim of resolving the outstanding matters and returning its members to the field as soon as an acceptable outcome can be reached". asserted

outcome → say → field

As players and supporters at all levels know, without referees there can be no game, so how have we got here? asserted

we → know → referees

Who runs the A-Leagues? asserted

Who → run → Leagues

To get into the weeds of this dispute, we can go back to the 2020 decision to decouple the A-League from Football Australia. asserted

we → get → Australia

FA relinquished full control to a newly formed body, the Australian Professional Leagues, after a long period of agitation from both the clubs and world body FIFA about governance issues within the game. asserted

FA → relinquish → game

In practice, this meant handing over the commercial reins of the A-Leagues to the clubs, in line with many other professional football leagues around the world, such as the Premier League, Bundesliga and J-League, among others. asserted

this → mean → others

In 2024, half of A-League Men players said they were "dissatisfied" with how the competition had been managed by the APL, and close to half said they had "low trust" in whether it could improve the league. uncertain

it → say → league

That same year, APL slashed the annual distribution to the clubs from close to $2 million to just $530,000 on account of an increasingly worrying financial outlook. asserted

APL → slash → outlook

That followed a frankly disastrous plan to sell off grand finals to Sydney and rapidly declining interest and attendances. asserted

That → follow → Sydney

Since then, the stalled expansion drive and the removal of failed club Western United and last month's breakdown of talks between the league and the players over the collective bargaining agreement have added to an environment of intense distrust. Why are the referees on strike? asserted

referees → stall → strike

Since the league unbundled from Football Australia, the sport's governing body has still provided the referees to the league, with the APL reimbursing FA for those costs. asserted

APL → unbundle → costs

Now, Football Australia has proposed that it will only pay for matches that come under their jurisdiction: the Australia Cup and Australian Championship. asserted

that → propose → jurisdiction

That means the APL has to pay the referees to officiate its competitions directly, which FA says is the APL's responsibility under the contract it has signed with the league. asserted

it → mean → league

However, this is one of the issues that the PFRA has railed against, arguing in essence it would be a conflict of interest to officiate the clubs, who are in effect their employers. "Such an arrangement would place referees in an unacceptable position of potential conflict and raise serious concerns regarding the integrity and impartiality of the refereeing program," the PFRA said in a statement. asserted

PFRA → rail → statement

The referees would prefer the formation of an independent referees body, as is the case in England with Pro Ref, formerly known as PGMOL. asserted

case → prefer → PGMOL

The PFRA added that the proposed structure was "untenable" and that referees "cannot grow without trust [or] succeed without independence". asserted

referees → add → independence

Football Australia said there were no issues around the integrity with their proposal, and that it was consistent with FIFA regulations. asserted

it → say → regulations

The PFRA also said match officials who officiated in trial matches involving A-League clubs had not been paid their outstanding match fees by FA, which was refuted by FA, which said there were no outstanding debts owed. asserted

which → say → FA

Have games been affected? asserted

games → affect → ?

Football Australia was forced to fly in four Singaporean referees for the Australia Cup semifinal clash between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory on September 9. asserted

Australia → force → September

Young Australian referee Rowan Fisher, who does not have any A-League experience, took charge of the second semifinal between South Melbourne and Lions FC earlier this week. asserted

who → have → Melbourne

It is understood that there is no risk of the Australia Cup final between South Melbourne and Melbourne Victory on October 10 not being played. asserted

final → understand → October

This is due to a group of referees that have signed a contract with FA despite the stand-off. asserted

that → sign → off

The second season of the second-tier Australian Championship, which kicks off on Thursday October 15, is also not expected to be at risk. asserted

which → kick → risk

Both those competitions are administered by FA. asserted

competitions → administer → FA

However, no assurances have been given about the A-Leagues, Men and Women, which both start that same weekend. asserted

which → give → Leagues

'Nobody becomes a referee because they want to withdraw their services' asserted

they → become → services

The nation's referees are clear they want to get back to the business of refereeing. asserted

they → want → refereeing

But they feel their voices need to be heard. asserted

voices → feel → ?

"Our members have delivered an overwhelmingly clear message. asserted

members → deliver → message

They are seeking certainty around their employment, payment of outstanding amounts, and a clear and sustainable structure for professional refereeing in Australia," PFRA president Evgeny Vizelman said in a statement. asserted

Vizelman → seek → statement

"We do not take the decision to stop officiating matches lightly. asserted

We → take → matches

…and 4 more, not listed.

A-League season start under threat with referees on strike

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