Soccer: Bombshell pull-out rocks league

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Australian National Soccer League has been thrown into chaos weeks before the September 19 kick-off.

South Australian club Adelaide City Force has pulled out of the competition, citing a levy of A$53,000 ($59,300) as the reason for the bombshell.

NSL general manager Stefan Kamasz said the season would start on time "with or without Adelaide City."

Kamasz said from Sydney yesterday he was shocked that the club had not contacted him or Soccer Australia, and that he had learned of the decision from news reports.

"But within a short time I was contacted by other clubs keen to fill their spot," Kamasz said. "We will work through the options. Hopefully, by the end of the week, we will have something in place."

It is understood that the Brisbane Lions, one of the founding teams in 1977, are ready to return to the league for the first time since 1988, when they finished last. Another Adelaide club is also reportedly keen to take City's place.

Kamasz said the league's 13 clubs had been advised of a projected A$660,000 loss in the coming season and advised to factor in A$53,000 each to cover the shortfall.

He said New Zealand's Football Kingz would start their season with a home game on September 21, playing Newcastle United at Ericsson Stadium.