The A-League's 12th franchise, Sydney Rovers FC, is set to be officially scrapped before even kicking a ball in anger.
Football Federation Australia will shelve plans to bring in a second Sydney team at the board meeting in November because the federation fears they will not be able to come up with the proposed $6million required to start an A-League club.
The Rovers, headed by businessman Ian Rowden, have been given a month-long extension to come up with the money but FFA sources have revealed that the consortium has failed to come up with even half the required figure, placing them in a position of severe peril.
The fact that the Rovers, who are supposed to enter the league next season, have not approached any players to build their inaugural squad suggests that things may be scrapped before they even get started.