Heidelberg United FC has confirmed it will launch a formal legal appeal after being denied entry into the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Two (ACL2), despite satisfying Football Australia’s domestic licensing requirements.
In a statement released by its Board of Directors, the club described itself as “extremely disappointed” by the ruling but thanked Football Australia for its support throughout the licensing process.
The AFC rejected Heidelberg’s qualification earlier this week after determining the NPL Victoria side did not meet the competition’s “sporting criteria” under Article 7.4 of the AFC Club Competitions Entry Regulations.
The club argued the regulations contain ambiguity regarding how an ACL2 place should be allocated when the Australia Cup winner has already qualified for a higher AFC competition through league success.
“We firmly believe that pursuing opportunities at the highest levels of competition is important not only for Heidelberg United FC, but for the broader grassroots football community,” the club said.
“We also believe this matter carries significant implications for clubs outside of the A-League system and the pathway available to them.”
Heidelberg said it had worked “tirelessly” to satisfy the strict licensing criteria and believed the process demonstrated the club’s “capacity, professionalism and ability to compete at the highest level of football.”
Central to the dispute is Article 7.4 of the AFC regulations, which states: “Only clubs finishing in the top fifty percent (50%) of the final ranking in the domestic top division league… are eligible to meet the Sporting Criteria.”
However, the regulations also provide an exemption for “the winner of a domestic cup competition.”
Heidelberg maintains the rules do not explicitly state that, if the cup winner cannot take up the position because it has already qualified through the league, the spot should then pass to an A-League club rather than the Australia Cup finalist.
“It does not suggest that in the event that the winner of the ‘Cup competition’ is unable to fulfil its position because it has qualified by winning the league that that position will be filled by a team from the domestic league and not by the team that earnt the right to be in the final,” the club said.
“Accordingly, the Club reserves its right to appeal the decision and has written to Football Australia requesting them to outline the Appeals Process.
“We will be appealing and evaluating all our options.”
The case has sparked broader debate about opportunities available to semi-professional clubs outside the A-League system, with Heidelberg positioning the appeal as a matter extending beyond its own participation in Asian competition.
Supporters have also rallied behind the club, with a Change.org petition calling for Heidelberg’s ACL2 place to be reinstated attracting hundreds of signatures within hours of launching.
