The heartbreak from the Socceroos’ penalty shootout defeat to Egypt and exit from the World Cup is still raw, but normal programming in Australian football is starting to resume. Alas, the scene appears to be set for a sequel nobody asked for.
At a time when the A-Leagues should be basking in the reflected glow of the World Cup, it is instead careering towards potential industrial action; players have unanimously rejected the latest collective bargaining agreement (CBA) proposal from league administrators the Australian Professional Leagues (APL). The news carries a sense of deja vu, coming just under four years after an act of self-immolation that saw the sale of grand final hosting rights announced just days after the Socceroos almost took Argentina to extra time at the Qatar World Cup.
