Foxtel breaks A-League broadcast deal

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Foxtel has backed out of its deal with Football Federation Australia to broadcast domestic football, including the A-League.

The current broadcast deal was originally signed in December 2016 and is worth around $57 million a year. The current agreement was set to run until 2023.

The Australian Financial Review reported that a clause in the broadcast deal in regards to content not being delivered for a certain amount of time has consequently allowed Foxtel to exit from the contract.

Foxtel is expected to seek a more affordable deal to broadcast the rest of the 2020 season. A new arrangement could be announced as early as today, with negotiations continuing between Foxtel and the FFA.

Foxtel has also removed all A-League and W-League content from its platforms. Match replays and highlights are now no longer available on both Kayo Sports and Foxtel Go.

On Thursday, Peter Campbell, the head of the Fox Sports told the Herald and The Age that Fox Sports was looking into its football content.

“We’ve got no live football at the moment and we’re currently reviewing all our football offering, and that’s the reason why it’s not there at the moment,” he said.

The A-League season was postponed on March 24th, with the season set to resume on July 16th with Melbourne Victory taking on Western United at AAMI Park.

A-League clubs were able to return to training from Wednesday ahead of the remaining 27 games of the regular season. The games will be played over 28 days before the finals series gets underway.

Foxtel and Fox Sports has been a broadcast partner of the FFA for 15 years, but in recent times TV ratings have been declining.

Many broadcasters and sports have renegotiated broadcast deals following the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week the Australian Football League reached an agreement with Foxtel and Seven West Media for a reduction in payments for 2020. The AFL extended its deal with Seven by two years but was unable to come to an agreement for an extension with Foxtel.

Meanwhile the National Rugby League lowered its broadcast fees and agreed to a new deal with Foxtel and Nine Entertainment Co in late May.

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Isabella Mossin awarded Ninja A-League Women Referee of the Year

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Image credit: Football NSW

The youngest recipient since its inception, Mossin will officially receive the award after leading the Ninja A-League Grand Final 2026 on Saturday.

 

A rapid rise

After debuting in 2023, Mossin has quickly proved quality, composure and confidence as a referee in the Ninja A-League.

As a result of the achievement, Mossin will be the appointed referee for this weekend’s Grand Final between Melbourne City FC and Wellington Phoenix.

After beginning in the North West Sydney Football Association, Mossin then honed her craft with the Football NSW Referee Academy, a journey with foundations truly embedded in youth development and grassroots football.

Thus, Mossin is not just am individual success story, but a symbol of what institutional investment and opportunities can do for young women looking for a pathway to the game.

 

Celebrating success

The plaudits, unsurprisngly, are arriving from across Australia’s football landscape, with many emphasising the incredible standards set by Mossin since her debut just three years ago.

“This award is testament to Isabella’s hard work and dedication to refereeing, and a great reflection of the next generation of referees coming through the system in Australia,” said A-Leagues CEO, Steve Rosich.

“At just 25 years of age, she has consistently demonstrated composure, leadership, strong decision-making and the ability to perform under pressure in some of the biggest matches in the competition,” highlighted Football Australia Head of Referees, Jon Moss.

“Having someone refereeing their first Ninja A-league Women’s Grand Final at the age of 25 years should inspire all girls and young women referees (and potential referees) and show them that age is not a barrier to talent being recognised within Football Australia refereeing,” said Chair of Football Australia Referee Committee, David Elleray.

Given Mossin’s reputation and experience already at the top level of women’s football in Australia, there is no doubt that she will rise to the occasion this Saturday.

Female Football Week kicks off across Northern NSW

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Image Credit: Shutterstock

Female Football Week has officially begun across Northern NSW, with a program of gala days, networking events and awards ceremonies running until Sunday May 17, marking a ten-day celebration that organisers say reflects both the growth of women’s football in the region and the work still required to sustain it.

The national initiative, now a fixture on the football calendar, provides a dedicated period of visibility for female participants across all levels of the game from players, coaches, referees to volunteers, whose contributions have historically received less recognition than their male counterparts.

NNSWF Participation and Women’s Football Officer Serena Carter said the week offered something for everyone connected to women’s football in the region.

“Female Football Week provides a fantastic chance to highlight the dedication and skill of female players, coaches, referees and volunteers across the northern NSW community,” Carter said. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from grassroots participants to elite competitors.”

Women’s football in northern NSW spans remote and regional communities where clubs operate on limited resources, alongside more established metropolitan programs with clearer development pathways. Female Football Week creates a moment of shared recognition across that spectrum and acknowledges the role volunteers play, from running the canteen to progressing through the pathway.

Northern NSW Football has recorded some of its strongest participation numbers in women’s and girls’ football in recent seasons, a trend that has placed increasing pressure on clubs and facilities to keep pace. The week’s events offer clubs an opportunity to showcase their commitment to diversity and inclusion at a time when that commitment is being tested by growth.

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