Pacific Islands discussed about A League
A team of Pacific islands could be a shock inclusion when the A-League eventually expand to 12 teams.
Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy publicly encouraged the Oceania Confederation of Football (OFC) to investigate an A-League franchise, saying they would be welcome in the competition.
Lowy has met with representatives OFC on Saturday to discuss the prospect.
"I think it would be very good for the A-League," said Lowy.
"There are 11 million people in Oceania and if we can attract a team of the islands to play in the A-League, we can attract another 10 or 11 million viewers.
"I have invited the Oceania Confederation to create a team of all the islands, and if they do, we will be able to accommodate them in the A-League and they seem very interested in that."
With teams already on the path of the Gold Coast and Townsville, a team from Oceania get off the ground in a 12 team competition, it would mean pressure on the rest room.
Extra teams in Sydney and Melbourne are under consideration, while Wollongong, Canberra and Geelong have also been mentioned as possible homes for A-League franchises.
Paramount Oceania to the A-League bid is estimated at the OFC offers its vote for Australia in 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.
Australia left the College in 2006 to establish a link with the Asian Football Confederation, but OFC member New Zealand already has an A-League presence of Wellington through Phoenix.
Meanwhile, billionaire tycoon iron ore Clive Palmer became the new funder possible for a franchise Gold Coast.
It is understood Palmer - Australia's fourth richest man - has met with the FFA, which May be influenced by offering him the franchise rather than Gold Coast Galaxy, supported by Fred promoter Taplin.
The jockeying for position on the Gold Coast franchise should warm with new talks between interested parties scheduled for early this week.
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