New zones and naming conventions announced by Football Queensland

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The past weekend saw Football Queensland announce three new zones to be established and functioning alongside fresh naming conventions which are a greater reflection of their strategic direction and geography.

Metro North and Metro South are set to replace the former Brisbane Zone, while Far North & Gulf has replaced the former Far North and North West zones.

The three new zones are FQ Metro South, FQ Metro North, and FQ Far North & Gulf. They will now join FQ South Coast, FQ Darling Downs, FQ Sunshine Coast, FQ Wide Bay, FQ Central, FQ Whitsunday Coast and FQ North in making up Football Queensland.

Football Queensland Chief Executive Officer Robert Cavallucci stated that the establishment of new zones and naming conventions will improve FQ’s efforts to achieve a better alignment of strategy and outcomes for football.

“The new zones and naming conventions are designed to better reflect the broader geography of the areas and present a more inclusive reference to the wider regions they represent,” he said.

“The boundaries are drawn in such a way as to align with Football Queensland’s strategic priorities. For example, the new Far North & Gulf zone will provide FQ and clubs in the north with a better strategic position to access, service and promote football to Indigenous participants and communities in the Cape.

“Importantly, the names of the zones more closely align with Queensland Government region naming conventions, as we present a united voice for increased investment in football.”

FQ President Ben Richardson was excited at the arrival of the new zones and projected a bright future for football in Queensland as the game continues its journey of reform.

“The creation of these new zones has been approved by Football Australia and is the result of months of close consultation with our stakeholders,” he said.

“I look forward to working with the new committee members as we continue to drive critical reform across the state.”

New FQ Members include Keiren O’Brien and Michael Falchetti for Far North & Gulf; Marty Buttigieg and Rob Rossi for Metro North; and Paul Swindells and Rob Scanlon for Metro South.

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APL and PFA remain without agreement as bargaining tensions continue

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Image Credit: A-Leagues

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) remain without a new collective bargaining agreement, with negotiations continuing less than three months before the start of the 2026–27 A-Leagues season.

The APL presented the players’ union with a new one-year interim proposal on August 5, which included an increase to the A-League Women salary cap and a commitment to establish a pathway towards full-time professionalism for the women’s competition within 12 months.

The proposed agreement would provide an interim framework while the two parties continue discussions over a longer-term collective bargaining agreement.

APL chief executive Steve Rosich said the proposal reflected the league’s commitment to reaching a sustainable agreement with players following eight months of negotiations.

However, the PFA criticised the APL for publicly announcing the proposal shortly after presenting it to the union, arguing that the approach had further damaged trust between the two parties.

PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch also said players had overwhelmingly rejected the APL’s previous final offer, citing a lack of trust in the league’s ability to ensure its future.

Full-time professionalism for the A-League Women remains a key priority for the PFA, with players seeking improved conditions and greater investment in the competition.

The A-League Men and A-League Women seasons are both scheduled to begin on 16 October 2026.

With the new season approaching, both parties face pressure to resolve the dispute and establish the framework governing player conditions across the A-Leagues.

 

 

Jeff Bezos consortium set for $2.7 billion Liverpool investment

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Image Credits: Fortune

Liverpool could soon welcome one of the world’s richest men into its ownership structure.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is part of a consortium in advanced talks to buy a 30% stake in the club.

The proposed deal values Liverpool at around $8.6 billion (4.5 billion pounds). Bezos has a personal fortune estimated at $363 billion.

The investment would give Fenway Sports Group (FSG) a major financial return. It would also allow FSG to keep control of the club, which they bought in 2010.

The proposal has attracted attention across football. It has also created concern among sections of the Liverpool fanbase.

FSG set for major return

FSG bought Liverpool for $573 million (300 million pounds) in 2010. The ownership group later provided further funding through loans. In the last 16 years, the club has undergone major growth.

Liverpool ended a 30-year wait for a league title in 2020. The club also won the Champions League in 2019. Another Premier League title followed in 2025.

Stadium redevelopment and a new training centre have also increased the club’s value. FSG could cash in on $2.7 billion (1.4 billion pounds) if the 30% share is sold.

The deal would therefore represent a huge return on its original investment. However, whilst the investment would provide a massive cash out for the owners of Liverpool, due to Financial Fair Play there won’t be increased investment in the transfer market.

Why Bezos wants Liverpool

Bezos has explored sports investments before. He has been linked with major American franchises such as the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.

Liverpool would give him a stake in one of football’s biggest global brands. The club also has a large following in the United States. The New York Times has also reported Liverpool has 26 million fans in America.

That makes the investment attractive for investors looking to expand their reach in global sport. American businessmen Eduardo Saverin and Amit Bhatia are also reportedly involved in the consortium.

The deal would add to the growing American influence across English football.

Fans remain cautious

Liverpool supporters have not automatically welcomed the proposal.

The club’s previous experience under Tom Hicks and George Gillett still influences the fanbase.

Supporters also want greater clarity over the consortium’s intentions. Questions remain over board representation, control and the long-term purpose of the investment.

For many fans, ownership must involve more than financial ambition. The Bezos proposal could strengthen Liverpool’s commercial position. It could also deliver a huge payday for FSG.

But until the consortium reveals more about its plans, supporters are likely to treat the deal with scepticism.

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