According to multiple sources who are familiar with the discussion,the APL told the clubs they were prepared to admit the strongest teams from the second division into the men’s A-League on an ongoing basis – provided those clubs were able to satisfy a set of strict criteria to prove their financial stability and other off-field bona fides,and demonstrate a capacity for sustained high performance.
There would be no limit to the number of clubs that could be promoted,but once it reaches a certain number of teams,most likely around 20,the A-League would then split into two leagues – tentatively called A1-League and A2-League.
From there,teams would be able to go up into A1 or down to A2,but they would be protected from relegation below A2,while second division teams which meet the criteria would continue to be promoted into A2 – albeit in a staggered fashion,since the A-League is played over summer and the second division is to be played through the winter,making a direct promotion-relegation system in line with European tradition unachievable.
One possible format could involve teams from A1 and A2 playing separate home-and-away seasons and an additional single round of matches against the teams from the other league – similar to the cross-conference structure in Major League Soccer – but only those within A1 would be able to contend for the top-tier title.
The plan was received favourably by club executives contacted by this masthead,who see it as an almost perfect compromise. In their view,it enables any successful second division clubs to be safely integrated into the professional system,andprovides a much-needed degree of sporting jeopardy that critics say has long been missing from the A-League – but without the risk of losing the pulling power of a bigger club like Sydney FC or Melbourne Victory if relegated,or the damage that might cause to the A-League’s broadcast deal or the relegated clubs themselves,who may struggle to survive if cut entirely from the competition and sent to a lower tier.