The Caceres Clause controversy: History repeats in Auckland

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Image credit: Austadiums

The ‘Caceres Clause’ has come into question from teams and fans across the A-League about how newly formed Auckland FC were able to make a move for Alex Paulsen on a loan move from sister club AFC Bournemouth.

The rule was originally introduced in 2016 to prevent transfers and loans between related clubs after Manchester City was able to sign Anthony Caceres from the Central Coast Mariners and was immediately loaned out to Melbourne City.

However, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has released a statement on the A-Leagues website saying the rule will be reviewed before the upcoming season:

“The APL was approached by numerous clubs in May about the possibility of reviewing the ‘Caceres Clause’ due to the increased transfer market opportunity for clubs as well as changes in the broader club ownership structures in place since the inception of the player contract rule in 2016,” the statement read.

A review process was implemented to get feedback from all clubs about the rule change considering:

  • If any guardrails would be required
  • The league and club’s emphasis on youth development
  • Improving overseas talent pathways
  • Increasing opportunities for international player transfer and loan fees

From this, a player contracting rule change was supported by all clubs, with the premise that the APL reviews and maintains certain guardrails that balance the development of the league while ensuring competition integrity.

The update the APL provided also said:

  • At the end of every season, the APL reviews the Player Contract Regulations and Competition Policies and Regulations in line with feedback from key stakeholders.
  • Any rule change is subject to approval by Football Australia as part of the Player Contract Regulations and Competition Policies and Regulations with the APL that occurs ahead of each season.

General Manager of Wellington Phoenix, David Dome, replied to the news with a statement seeking further information about the rule change and Paulsen’s loan deal to Auckland FC.

“While the club in principle supports adapting the ‘Caceres Clause’ to allow Paulsen to return to the Isuzu UTE A-League for the 2024-25 season, it has a number of questions that have yet to be answered,” he said via a media release.

“Most importantly we don’t know what “player registration and salary cap treatment guardrails” will be in place that the APL say will “balance development of the A-League while ensuring competition integrity.

“We also note all player contract regulations and competition policies have yet to be approved by Football Australia.”

Paulsen’s pending move back home to Auckland raises many questions about not only the rule itself but also the landscape of how transfer and loan deals are done moving forward in the A-League.

Besides Auckland FC – Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory are all part of multi-club partnerships and if this move is approved, we may see these clubs make similar moves to gain a competitive advantage.

Football Australia has not announced if the rule has been officially changed at the time of writing which means Paulsen is still unable to be registered as an official Auckland FC player, despite the announcement.

It’s a matter of time until we see the final verdict on this saga, but it will be intriguing to see if the deal falls through because of the ‘Caceres Clause.’

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Central Coast Mariners Women secure future under Holman Barnes Group

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Image Credits: Central Coast Mariners

The future of the Central Coast Mariners Women has been secured after the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) reached an agreement to become the new operator of the club’s A-League Women program. The deal ends uncertainty surrounding the team’s participation in the 2026/27 season.

The agreement between HBG, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Total Soccer Growth Holdings (TSG) ensures the Mariners will remain in the Ninja A-League Women competition. It also introduces a new operating model designed to provide long-term stability.

The uncertainty emerged following TSG’s acquisition of the Central Coast Mariners’ men’s side and academy in June. The women’s program was excluded from the original takeover. TSG already owns English football side Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and MLS club Los Angeles FC. The omission placed the future of the 2025 A-League Women champions in doubt. It also prompted the APL to seek a sustainable solution ahead of the new campaign.

A new operating model

Under the new arrangement, HBG will oversee all operational aspects of the women’s team. This includes the football program, staffing and day-to-day management. TSG will retain the club licence and continue overseeing the men’s program and academy. It will also support the women’s operation through its broader football network.

The agreement represents an innovative partnership between the three organisations. It has been designed to strengthen the long-term sustainability of professional women’s football on the Central Coast. HBG’s plans extend beyond the senior team. They include a strong focus on developing participation pathways and creating greater opportunities for female footballers throughout New South Wales.

Attention turns to the new season

The transition comes at a crucial time with preparations for the 2026/27 Ninja A-League Women season underway ahead of its October 16 start. The new operators are expected to begin managing the program immediately. This remains subject to the completion of the remaining regulatory processes. The team currently has no sponsors and games are expected to be moved away from Central Coast Stadium.

The A-League had previously set a July 31 deadline for new owners to be found to secure a place in the upcoming competition. With that now achieved, HBG will be on the clock to ensure the season begins without disruption and becomes a commercial success.

For the Central Coast Mariners Women, the agreement delivers certainty after a turbulent off-season. It also allows the club to shift its attention to the 2026/27 campaign and the team’s on-field performance.

South Melbourne’s Australia Cup triumph reignites promotion and relegation debate

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Image Credit: The Greek Herald

South Melbourne FC’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Adelaide United in the Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32 has reignited debate around promotion and relegation in Australian football, with Co-President Bill Papastergiadis stating the result is further proof that ambitious National Premier Leagues clubs deserve a pathway to the top tier.

The Victorian powerhouse produced one of the competition’s biggest upsets at Lakeside Stadium, overturning an early deficit to eliminate the Isuzu UTE A-League side and secure a place in the Round of 16.

While the result was celebrated as another example of the magic of the Australia Cup, Papastergiadis believes the victory carries a much broader message about the strength that exists outside Australia’s professional league.

Speaking following the win, Papastergiadis said South Melbourne’s performance demonstrated why the Australian football landscape should move towards a connected pyramid featuring promotion and relegation.

“The result was South Melbourne FC’s revenge 22 years in the making,” Papastergiadis said.

“It also demonstrates that clubs in the National Premier Leagues have the quality, professionalism and ambition to compete with A-League opposition when given the opportunity.”

For years, South Melbourne has been one of the strongest advocates for structural reform within Australian football, consistently calling for an open pyramid that rewards sporting merit rather than maintaining a closed league system.

Papastergiadis argued that Australia Cup fixtures continue to showcase the depth of talent throughout the domestic game, with NPL clubs regularly proving they can challenge and defeat professional opponents despite operating with significantly fewer resources.

He believes these performances should not simply be viewed as isolated “cupsets”, but as evidence that Australia’s football ecosystem is ready to embrace a promotion and relegation model that provides ambitious clubs with a genuine pathway to the top flight.

The result against Adelaide United adds another significant chapter to South Melbourne’s storied history. One of Australia’s most successful clubs, South Melbourne has long maintained aspirations of returning to the national stage, backed by a passionate supporter base, strong infrastructure and a proud footballing tradition.

For Papastergiadis, victories such as Thursday night’s reinforce the argument that clubs should earn opportunities through performances on the pitch.

“The Australia Cup continues to show what’s possible when clubs from different levels of the football pyramid compete against one another,” he said.

“Our football should be built on opportunity and merit. Clubs that perform consistently and invest in their communities should have the chance to progress to the highest level.”

South Melbourne will now turn its attention to the Round of 16, where it will look to continue its impressive cup run.

Beyond the result itself, however, the victory has once again fuelled discussion around the future of Australia’s football structure and whether the growing strength of clubs outside the A-League should accelerate the push towards a fully connected national competition.

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