New FFA chairman Chris Nikou is aiming to have two new A-League licences ready for the 2019/2020 A-League.
Due to the recent governance saga involving the FFA and major stakeholders within the game, expansion was set to be delayed until the following season.
“Yes it is possible (for A-League expansion next season), Nikou told SEN’s Whateley.
“I don’t want to commit definitively because as you probably would appreciate yesterday we had three new directors come on board who have no visibility on where the bids are at.
“We’re in the fortunate position of having six very good bids that tick a lot of boxes, but in fairness to the three that have come on board, they’re getting a detailed dive into the merits of those bids.
“If we can push it along so it’s in place for the following season that would be my preference.”
Nikou believes the FFA still hold the right to make the decision surrounding expansion, despite the A-League potentially becoming an independent body in the future.
“It’s up to the FFA to govern the sport, but there’s good levels of communication with the clubs as to where we’re at on that process and I think all fair minded people understand the need for expansion in our code,” Nikou added
“In the ideal world we probably would have got this sooner than we have, but I think it’s an important thing that the FFA board has a mandate to deal with.”
Team 11, Western Melbourne Group, South Melbourne, Southern Expansion from Sydney's south, South West Sydney and Canberra are the six bids vying for two A-League licences.
Listen to Chris Nikou’s chat on SEN’s Whateley with Gerard Whateley in the player below