The A-League club Western United has been officially wound up after the Federal Court rejected a last-ditch attempt to save it from insolvency. The court ordered the club's management group and several related companies to be wound up, leaving the 2019-20 expansion side defunct.
Judicial registrar Robyn Curnow dismissed an adjournment bid by the club's lawyers, who claimed a fresh £15 million investment from JC Capital could pay off debts within weeks. The adjournment was refused, ending hopes of survival.
Western United had been in financial turmoil for months, facing a tax bill, unpaid wages and superannuation, and a Fifa registration ban. Football Australia stripped the club of its A-League licence earlier this month after a takeover deal by US-based investors KAM fell through.
KAM withdrew their bid on Wednesday following the licence revocation. The club's lawyer, Bridget Slocum, said the JC Capital investment was contingent on reinstatement to the A-League and a timeline of six to 12 months to pay creditors.
Western United joined the A-League Men in 2019-20, winning the championship in 2021-22 under John Aloisi, and entered the A-League Women in 2022-23. The Australian Professional Leagues and Football Australia have been contacted for comment.
