Football Victoria (FV) has today confirmed that Western United FC (WUFC) will be withdrawn from all FV competitions, following the Federal Court’s decision to order WMG Football Club Limited to be wound up in insolvency.
The Court’s decision, handed down on Tuesday, resulted in a liquidator being appointed to WMG Football Club Limited, the entity through which Western United FC participates in FV competitions. The decision has consequences under the FV Constitution, Club Compliance Bylaw and Club Insolvency Policy, which applies to affiliated clubs subject to insolvency proceedings.
FV has explored every available option to identify a pathway that would enable WUFC’s teams to complete the 2026 season. Unfortunately, following the Court’s decision; and after thoroughly reviewing the requirements of the FV Constitution, Club Compliance Bylaw and Club Insolvency Policy, there is no longer a viable pathway for WUFC to continue participating in FV competitions.
FV deeply acknowledges the significant impact this outcome will have on WUFC’s players, who have trained, competed and represented their Club throughout the 2026 season. We also recognise the impact on the Club’s coaches, staff, volunteers and families, who have invested considerable energy and care into supporting these teams and their players. We know this will be felt across an entire community, and we extend our very best wishes to everyone affected by this outcome.
FV CEO Dan Birrell shared his disappointment, emphasising that FV’S efforts to find a way for WUFC’s teams to finish the season, with the impact on players front of mind throughout the process.
“This is an incredibly difficult outcome and our thoughts are first and foremost with the players who are directly affected.
“For many of these young players, WUFC has been a significant part of their football journey and we understand how disappointing and unsettling this news will be for them and their families.
“We explored every avenue available to us to find a way for these teams to complete the season. Unfortunately, following the Federal Court’s decision, we have reached a point where that is simply no longer possible.
“We also recognise that the impact extends well beyond the players. Coaches, staff, volunteers, families and supporters have all invested enormously in Western United FC; and we know this is a very difficult time for the whole community.”
WUFC’s withdrawal takes effect immediately and applies to all teams currently participating in FV competitions. Unfortunately, in line with registration regulations, affected players will not be able to register with another club for the final weeks of the 2026 season.
FV is committed to supporting the wellbeing of the players affected by this outcome as our utmost priority and has communicated directly to all impacted participants today.
Under FV’s 2026 Rules of Competition for Advanced Competitions, where a team is withdrawn during the Regular Season, the relevant championship points and goals scored for and against that team are removed. As a result, WUFC’s results have now been removed from the relevant VPL and Advanced Junior Boys competitions and the affected ladders will be recalculated. The VPLM1 Senior/23 & VYPL1 ladders have been taken offline while we make the necessary adjustments. A bye will replace WUFC in the remaining fixtures in each affected competition.
FV appreciates that the removal of results at this stage of the season will affect ladder positions across a number of competitions. While those impacts are unavoidable, the Rules of Competition provide a framework for dealing with the withdrawal of a team during a season and will be applied accordingly.
WUFC’s withdrawal will also create vacancies within the Victorian football pyramid for the 2027 season. Those vacancies will be managed in accordance with the applicable 2026 Rules of Competition and the established promotion, relegation and Order of Merit provisions.
For the Advanced Senior Men’s competitions, vacancies are addressed through the Advanced Competitions Order of Merit process. This process considers, in order, eligible teams that would otherwise be relegated from the division in which the vacancy arises, followed by eligible teams that miss promotion from the division immediately below. The same Order of Merit principles apply to vacancies within the Advanced Junior Boys structure.
Any resulting vacancy flowing into the Community State League pyramid will then be managed under the relevant Community Competitions Rules of Competition. Those Rules provide the framework for filling vacancies throughout the State League structure, alongside the ordinary promotion and relegation outcomes from the 2026 season.
In summary, and subject always to the terms of the relevant Rules of Competition:
Men’s Senior Competitions
- VPL Men’s 1
- Highest ranked relegated club remains in VPLM1
- VPL Men’s 2
- Highest ranked relegated club remains in VPLM2
- Men’s State League 1
- No change to original promotion/relegation regulations. Teams finishing 1st may be automatically promoted, 2nd v 2nd play-off remains.
- Men’s State League 2-4
- Teams finishing in the top 3 in each N/W & S/E may be automatically promoted.
- Men’s State League 5-7
- Teams finishing in the top 3 in each N/W & S/E may be automatically promoted. Teams finishing in 4th in each division to play-off for an additional promotion position.
- Teams finishing in the top 3 in each N/W & S/E may be automatically promoted. Teams finishing in 4th in each division to play-off for an additional promotion position.
Boy’s Competitions
- Victorian Youth Premier League 1
- Highest ranked relegated club remains in VYPL1
- Victorian Youth Premier League 2
- Highest ranked relegated club remains in VYPL2
- Youth State League Boys 1 (NW/SE)
- Highest ranked relegated club division will remain in YSLB1, based on order of merit.
Final 2027 competition structures will be confirmed by FV following the conclusion of the 2026 season and completion of the applicable promotion, relegation, eligibility and Order of Merit processes.