Heidelberg to appeal ACL Two rejection. This is why and the 'significant implications' it has for clubs

Heidelberg United’s hopes of making history on the continental stage have suffered a blow, with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ruling the NPL Victoria champions ineligible for the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Two.

But the story may not be over yet.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, Heidelberg confirmed their intention to appeal the decision and are currently “evaluating all our options” after being denied what would have been a ground-breaking appearance in Asia.

The AFC informed Football Australia that Heidelberg did not satisfy the regulations required to take up the direct ACL Two berth, paving the way for A-League giants Melbourne Victory to inherit the position.

Heidelberg had previously expressed confidence in their efforts to meet the AFC’s demands after FA awarded the club the ACL Two place through its Australia Cup qualification pathway.

That opportunity emerged after Newcastle Jets secured qualification for the AFC Champions League Elite as A-League Premiers, prompting their Australia Cup allocation to pass down to the other finalist.

In unprecedented circumstances, FA handed the berth to the NPL outfit following Heidelberg’s remarkable giant-killing run to the 2025 Australia Cup final, a campaign that captured national attention and raised the prospect of a semi-professional club competing in Asia.

Still, Heidelberg had acknowledged in recent weeks that “significant hurdles” remained in satisfying the AFC’s strict licensing and infrastructure requirements, with the club working to meet the criteria despite operating in a semi-professional environment out of Olympic Village.

The bitter twist comes despite Heidelberg insisting they had “satisfied the mandatory criteria set out in Football Australia’s National Club Licensing Regulations for AFC Club Licensing purposes”.

Now, one of the most remarkable stories in modern Australian football is hanging in the balance.

“Heidelberg United FC acknowledges receipt of Football Australia's determination regarding the AFC Club Competitions Club Licensing Cycle 2026-27,” the statement read.

“Whilst the Club is extremely disappointed with the outcome, we would like to acknowledge and thank the team at Football Australia for their support and engagement throughout the application process.

“Our Club has worked tirelessly to reach this stage and we are extremely proud to have satisfied the strict assessment criteria required as part of the licensing process. We believe this achievement reflects the Club's capacity, professionalism and ability to compete at the highest level of football.

“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. We also believe this matter carries significant implications for clubs outside of the A-League system and the pathway available to them.”

“Furthermore there appears to be some ambiguity relating to Article 7.4 of the AFC Club Competitions - Entry Regulations: 'Only clubs finishing in the top fifty percent (50%) of the final ranking in the domestic top division league (based on the total number of clubs that participated on its first match day) are eligible to meet the Sporting Criteria. For the avoidance of doubt, this Article 7.4 shall not apply to the winner of a domestic cup competition'.

“It does not suggest that in the event that the winner of the 'Cup competition' is unable to fulfill 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.

“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.”

“Heidelberg United FC will make a further statement once the Club has completed this process.”