At this stage, we can't say with complete certainty that Western United won't be part of the A-League next season. But we also won't have to wait long to find out if the Australian top-flight is set for its latest dark day, when it could really use a bit of sun right now.

Within hours of Friday's revelation that it had been stripped of its licence to field men's and women's sides, Western United signalled that it would appeal the decision within the eight-day time limit, and it remains defiant that a $100 million takeover by KAM Sports -- one that would rescue the club from its parlous state -- will soon be completed.

The first instance board, the independent body set up by Football Australia to oversee club licensing and the arbiters that stripped United of its right to compete in

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