About 40 players have become instant free agents after beleaguered Western United were placed in “hibernation” for the upcoming A-Leagues season – a decision the club insists is not the end.

A mad scramble for new homes will now begin for United’s A-League Men and Women squads following an announcement on Saturday that they had been released from their contracts and that the western Melbourne club would be excluded from the top-tier competitions this season, with their club participation agreement put into a conditional pause.

As such, the men’s league will be reduced to 12 teams, while 11 will play in the women’s league.

Though the move – made in conjunction with Football Australia, the Australian Professional Leagues, the players’ union and the Wyndham City Council – brings much-neede

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