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

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Image credit: Austadiums

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The three Australian football governing bodies have identified that the clause is outdated and no longer fit for purpose due to the expansion of Australian football and the broader globalisation of the football economy.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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Mbappé move from Nike to On signals new battle for Football’s sponsorship market

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Kylian Mbappe UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier
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Kylian Mbappé’s decision to leave Nike after almost 20 years has opened a new chapter in the commercial battle for football’s biggest names. The Real Madrid and France star has joined Swiss sportswear brand On, a significant boon for the company on entry into the football market.

Mbappé’s departure is a significant commercial loss for Nike. The forward joined the company as a nine-year-old and grew into one of its leading football figures. His loss compounds the recent transition of Spanish star Lamine Yamal to long-time rival Adidas.

On built its reputation in running, before expanding into tennis via Roger Federer. It will now use Mbappé’s experience as it develops football products, with its first boots expected to become widely available in the near future. Former France star Thierry Henry has also joined On as its football director and is a shareholder.

On has confirmed that Mbappé’s agreement includes both cash and equity, although the financial details have not been released, gives the partnership a deeper commercial connection than a traditional endorsement deal. Nike still holds significant football contracts, including long-term partnership with numerous national teams.

However, Mbappé’s move gives On an opportunity to challenge the established order, including Nike, Adidas, Puma and other emerging competitors. But will they turn this prized signature into lasting football credibility? To do so, the brand must now deliver products that can compete on performance, design and price.

Mbappé’s switch is therefore more than a sponsorship change. It signals an increasingly competitive fight for football’s most influential athletes and the billions of fans who follow them.

SBS expands Australian Championship broadcast coverage for 2026

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The Australian Championship will enter its second season with an expanded broadcast partnership between Football Australia and SBS. The 2026 competition will feature two live SBS broadcasts in every round, marking an increase from the tournament’s debut season.

Thursday night football will form a key part of the new broadcast schedule. The opening match will see Preston Lions face Wollongong Wolves on October 15th, with the game broadcast live on SBS2 and SBS On Demand. Saturday football will also remain part of the free-to-air schedule; first up, Sutherland Sharks’ clash with South Melbourne on October 17th will be shown live on SBS and SBS On Demand.

The expanded agreement gives the competition a greater presence across SBS’s linear channels while retaining its full streaming coverage, with every match across the 2026 Australian Championship available live on SBS On Demand. The platform also provides full replays and highlights for viewers to access at their discretion.

In addition to SBS’ coverage, Football Australia will also stream the competition via YouTube.

The Australian Championship consists of a six-round group stage, finals beginning at quarter-finals from November 26, and a Grand Final scheduled currently between December 10-12.

It features 16 clubs from seven states and territories. The broadcast schedule places several historic fixtures in front of a national audience: South Melbourne will meet Sydney United 58 in a repeat of the 1999 NSL Grand Final, and Sydney Olympic and Marconi Stallions will also renew a rivalry that includes NSL Grand Final meetings in 1989 and 1990.

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