Perth Glory set for English Takeover

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After a few tough seasons financially, Perth Glory and owner Tony Sage have found a potential investor overseas.

The London Football Exchange (LFE), a company that Sage is chairman of, is reportedly going to buy 80% of the Western Australian side, following a near $3 million loss at the end of last season.

Sage broke the news on Perth’s 6PR radio station earlier this week, proclaiming that the A-League is only going to go from strength to strength in the next few years.

“I wanted to retain (a share) because I think the future of Australian football is going to be huge,” Sage said. “We’ll be part of a group that has six or seven clubs in it over the next two years.

“I came across a group in London that have a fantastic vision for football.”

“From about next season, the owners will own the [A-League] and that’s a massive change in itself. The FFA won’t be involved.

“We’re going to be set now with a big partner, so many opportunities will arise from this transaction if it happens.”

Sage went on to add that this may merely be the beginning for the LFE, who have aspirations to own multiple clubs around the world like City Football Group.

As we know, City Football Group own A-League club Melbourne City, MLS club New York City FC and reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.

But Sage wouldn’t be satisfied just matching it with CFG. He’d want it to grow bigger and better with more clubs across the world.

“[LFE] want to own seven clubs around the world like the City [Football] Group, but instead of the City [Football] Group rebadging Melbourne Heart to Melbourne City and Yokohama City, New York City, they will let each club keep its own identity,” he said.

“There’s an offer in for a French club, an Italian club and an [English Premier League] club at the moment.”

The deal is subject to approval from the FFA.

Under regulation, the FFA can only approve a deal such as this after a review.

Reports are conflicting as to whether the FFA has been kept in the loop or not, leading the FFA to some indecision over the approval of this sale. However, it is highly unlikely that they will reject this sale.

What are your thoughts on the likely sale of one of Australia’s biggest clubs? Are you intrigued by what would happen to the A-League as a result?

Should this deal go ahead as expected, it would likely change the landscape of the soccer industry in Australia as we know it.

Get involved in the discussion on Twitter @Soccersceneau

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Chelsea and Tottenham Arrive in Sydney as Premier League Giants Launch Australian Pre-Season Tour

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Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have touched down in Sydney ahead of their pre-season tour of Australia for the Sydney Super Cup. Both clubs have wasted little time settling into life in Sydney, beginning preparations for a busy week of training sessions, fan events and pre-season fixtures.

The London rivals will each face A-League opposition before meeting meeting in the marquee fixture of the tour at Accor Stadium, bringing two of England’s biggest clubs to Australian shores as they build towards the 2026-27 Premier League season.

For Chelsea, the tour represents the first opportunity for supporters to see new manager Xabi Alonso lead the Blues. Meanwhile, Spurs fans will be eager to see improvements from Roberto De Zerbi’s men following their narrow escape from relegation last season.

Chelsea will open their tour against Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday 28 July, while Tottenham will face Sydney FC on Wednesday 29 July, before the clubs meet in the headline fixture of the tour on Saturday 1 August.

The clash will mark the first time the London rivals have faced each other outside the UK. The tour is another sign of Australia’s growing stature as a destination for elite European clubs during the northern hemisphere off-season

With Chelsea and Tottenham among the Premier League’s biggest global brands, the fixtures are expected to attract strong crowds and give Australian football fans a rare opportunity to watch top-flight English footballers in person.

The tour will also feature the Chelsea Women’s team, which will take on the A-League Women’s All Stars in a showcase fixture on Wednesday 12 August.

Football Australia Chairman Reflects on Socceroos World Cup Campaign, Points to Reform Agenda Ahead

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Football Australia Chairman Anter Isaac has released a statement reflecting on the Socceroos’ FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, which ended in a penalty shootout loss to Egypt in the Round of 32 on 3 July.

Isaac thanked the players, coaching staff, medical and performance teams, and volunteers who supported the campaign, saying they represented the country with professionalism, humility and pride.

He said the tournament had brought Australians together across every state, culture and generation, calling it one of the few sporting moments capable of uniting the country.

Isaac linked the campaign to Football Australia’s broader governance work, pointing to the organisation’s recently announced reform agenda and the Enduring Principles adopted last year: Better Access to Football for All, More Football, Better Football, More People Enjoying Football, and Winning Football.

He said those principles, together with the organisation’s values of Welcome, Ready, Connect, Excel and Protect, formed the basis for every decision Football Australia makes.

“World Cups do not define our leadership,” Isaac said, adding that they instead reveal progress made long before a ball is kicked.

He said Football Australia’s responsibility extended beyond preparing for the next tournament to strengthening the institution that supports every tournament that follows.

Isaac said progress in a sporting ecosystem of Australian football’s scale depends less on any single body’s authority than on the willingness of clubs, federations, leagues and government to align around shared goals.

He said the organisation would study the lessons of the campaign carefully and continue refining its approach.

“Adaptability is not changing direction with every headline,” Isaac said. “It is improving the path while remaining true to the destination.”

Isaac framed his own role in terms of long-term stewardship, saying the game should be left in a stronger position for the generations that follow than it was for those who built it.

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