Western United has received a stay of execution, with the embattled A-League club set to face a fresh appeal to have its licence reinstated.
Western have been placed in hibernation by the Australian Professional Leagues for the upcoming season with a view to resuscitating the club in the 2026/27 campaign.
The move came after Western's holding company was hit with a winding-up order and following Football Australia's (FA) decision to revoke the club's license.
The hopes of reviving the club received a boost on Wednesday when FA announced a new appeal process would take place to hear Western's plea to have its licence reinstated.
FA said the move came as a result of new documentation coming to light, crucially giving Western a lifeline to re-establish themselves as an A-League club.
"Western United Football Club is pleased with the decision of the Football Australia appeals and entry control board to allow the club's appeal," Western said in a statement.
"This outcome means the withdrawal of our conditional licence has been set aside.
"The club is focused on achieving the best possible outcome for its future and is deeply thankful for the support of everyone connected with Western United."
Western's players have been hit with payroll and superannuation issues over recent months.
The Tarneit-based club, which won the A-League Men title in the 2021/22 campaign, was due to be bought by American investors KAM Sports, who reneged on a takeover deal earlier this month after several delays.
The decision to place the club in hibernation for the upcoming A-League season, announced last Saturday, is set to free many of Western's players on the radar of rival sides.
Coach John Aloisi, who signed a new contract in July, is likely to be in hot demand should any vacancies become available over the coming months.
Players' union boss Beau Busch described the one-season pause as devastating, lashing administrators for what he termed "governance failures and false promises".
