‘Caceres Clause’ set to be phased out ahead of the 2025/26 A-Leagues season

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Football Australia, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), and the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) have confirmed a joint commitment to review and phase out the ‘Caceres Clause’ in the lead-up to the 2025/26 A-Leagues season.

The Clause was brought back into the discussion after Auckland FC confirmed the loan signing of Alex Paulsen from sister club AFC Bournemouth.

The rule essentially prohibits the registration of a player to an A-League club if a team within the same club ownership group purchases a player from another A-League organisation and attempts to transfer/loan such player to their related A-League side.

The three Australian football governing bodies have identified that the clause is outdated and no longer fit for purpose due to the expansion of Australian football and the broader globalisation of the football economy.

Ever since the rule was implemented, multi-club ownerships have become more common across the footballing world and in Australia, with the likes of Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory all being part of multi-club partnerships.

Numerous contributing factors explain why the clause needs to be phased out, such as the increase in value of A-League players, the increasing interest in players between A-League clubs, and longer player contract terms.

Regarding how the clause will be phased out, the first stage will happen effective immediately where the clause will be amended to allow such transfers involving clubs with common ownership.

Therefore, Alex Paulsen’s move to Auckland FC will go ahead and become a registered player.

However, there will be “guardrails” limiting the number of multi-club transfers and loans to two players on loan at any one time, which is similar to the existing FIFA loan prohibitions.

The second stage will aim to enhance the broader A-Leagues’ economic model, such as assessing the efficacy of the salary cap against its stated objectives as well as exploring the potential benefits of transfer fee payments between A-League clubs.

The changes will be considered by both the men’s and women’s professional football committees, which include representation from the APL, clubs and players.

They review the A-Leagues by regularly assessing key strategic matters including commercial, broadcast, and high-performance areas and the A-Leagues’ economic model.

Football Australia will also be invited to join to discuss the changes as a regulator.

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Football Queensland Welcomes Musco Lighting as Official Lighting Partner

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Image Credit: Musco.com

Football Queensland has welcomed Musco Lighting as its Official Lighting Partner, bringing world-class sports lighting expertise to football clubs and facilities across the state.

The partnership will support Football Queensland clubs as participation continues to grow across the state, helping communities access safer, higher-quality and more accessible football facilities.

Musco Lighting is a global leader in sports lighting, with more than 50 years of experience delivering lighting solutions across sporting venues worldwide. The company was also the first in the world to be certified by FIFA as a Preferred Provider for Floodlight Systems and provided lighting for 12 of the 16 stadiums used at the recent FIFA World Cup.

Through the new partnership, Football Queensland clubs will have access to Musco’s specialist expertise and solutions as they look to improve and develop their lighting infrastructure.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said the partnership represented an important step in supporting the continued growth of football across Queensland.

“I’m proud to see this partnership between Football Queensland and Musco come to life.

“With participation continuing to grow across Queensland, the need for quality football infrastructure has never been greater. This partnership will help our clubs access world-class lighting expertise to create safer, better and more accessible facilities for their communities.

The partnership provides an opportunity to combine Football Queensland’s extensive network across the state’s football community with Musco’s global expertise in sports lighting, supporting clubs as they continue to invest in facilities that meet the needs of their growing participation bases.

Football Queensland and Musco will work together to help clubs identify lighting solutions that can enhance facility quality and accessibility, supporting more opportunities for players and communities to participate in football.

Football Queensland Official Lighting Partner – Musco Lighting

With more than five decades of experience in sports lighting, Musco has delivered projects across some of the world’s most significant sporting venues and events.

The company’s FIFA Preferred Provider certification and involvement in the recent FIFA World Cup further demonstrates its expertise in delivering lighting systems to the highest international standards.

The partnership with Football Queensland will bring this expertise closer to Queensland’s football community, providing clubs with access to a specialist lighting partner as the game continues to grow across the state.

Premier League clubs approve new strategic partnership proposal with EFL

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The Premier League and its clubs have recently approved a funded proposal for a new long-term strategic partnership with the English Football League (EFL). The deal could deliver significant additional funding to clubs across the English football pyramid.

The proposal, approved on July 30, will now go to the EFL and its 72 member clubs for consideration. The agreement could begin from the 2026/27 season, subject to further discussions and approval.

The move follows years of debate over the distribution of Premier League revenues. It also comes as English football looks to establish a more sustainable financial settlement between the top flight and the EFL.

A new financial package

The Premier League has not released the full financial details of the proposal. Reporting from the BBC and Sky News indicates the package could provide an additional $2.86 billion (1.5 billion pounds) to EFL clubs over 10 years.

The agreement includes raising transfer levies from 4% to 6% and establishing a new lifeboat fund of $38 million (20 million pounds). This pool could be used to help any EFL club that goes into administration.

The funding would support clubs across the Championship, League One and League Two. It could also include dedicated investment to strengthen the wider football pyramid.

The Premier League confirmed in a statement it already commits $3 billion (1.6 billion pounds) every three years to the wider game and communities. The new proposal would significantly increase its financial support for the EFL.

EFL clubs to consider proposal

The EFL will now assess the proposal before presenting it to its member clubs. Those clubs will consider the financial benefits and wider implications of the agreement.

The proposed partnership would also operate within England’s wider football regulatory framework. The Independent Football Regulator has backstop powers if the leagues fail to reach an acceptable financial settlement.

The latest vote marks significant progress towards a new agreement between the Premier League and EFL. However, it does not complete the process.

Attention turns to final agreement

Negotiations over increased financial support for the EFL have continued for several years. The issue gained further importance after the financial difficulties clubs faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Premier League’s unanimous approval now shifts attention to the EFL and its member clubs. Discussions on a deal have been continuing as far back as 2021. It is critical that a deal is reached soon for English football.

Both sides must still agree on the final terms of the partnership. The process will determine how future funding reaches clubs and supports the wider English football pyramid.

For the EFL, the proposal offers the prospect of greater financial support. For the Premier League, it represents a major step towards a long-term settlement with the professional game below the top flight.

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