A football fight is looming after Victorian powerhouse South Melbourne FC declared it will block plans for A-League club Western United to play home games at Lakeside Stadium – South Melbourne’s home ground.
Hours after Western United announced plans to play seven home games at Lakeside Stadium in the upcoming A-League season, former NSL powerhouse South Melbourne vowed to prevent that from happening.
Officials from South Melbourne, which lost a bid to join the A-League in 2018 when Western United was picked ahead of them, have claimed they were never consulted about the A-League using their venue and will “vigorously oppose” the plan.
Western United is yet to build the new venue required as part of its A-League license, added Lakeside Stadium to their list of home venues – GMHBA Stadium, Mars Stadium and UTAS Stadium – for the upcoming season on Thursday.
South Melbourne, who currently play in the NPL but have one of the most decorated histories in Australian football, have previously applied for, and missed out on A-League licences, including when United received theirs in 2018.
The long-standing tenants of Lakeside Stadium insisted there was no signed agreement in place with United or Australian Professional Leagues (APL).
South Melbourne issued the following statement:
‘South Melbourne FC notes the announcement by Western United FC of its intention to use Lakeside Stadium for a select number of games in the 2021/22 A-League Season.
Lakeside Stadium and Albert Park is the home of South Melbourne FC and has been for over sixty years. Our licencing arrangements with Lakeside Stadium and the State Government ensures it will remain this way for decades to come.
South Melbourne FC has a stadium, we have a home and we are proud to call it our own.
Executives at Lakeside Stadium and Melbourne Sports Centres have advised South Melbourne FC that contrary to the announcement made by Western United FC, there is no written or signed agreement in place with Western United FC or the Australian Professional Leagues to allow Western United FC access to Lakeside Stadium for the 2021/22 A-League Season.
South Melbourne considers Western United to be a direct competitor in the Melbourne, Victorian and Australian football market. Their acceptance to the A-League was based largely on the commitment to having a purpose-built football stadium constructed in Melbourne’s west. It is approaching three years since the A-League expansion clubs were announced and construction works have still not commenced. Western United’s use of Lakeside Stadium is not acceptable and South Melbourne FC will vigorously oppose any such plans.
South Melbourne can confirm that it will be exercising all rights to prevent Western United FC from playing A-League matches at Lakeside Stadium.
The club will provide its members, players, parents and supporters with further updates as information is available’ .