Pay dispute drags on ahead of Australia's A-League season launch

The new season of the A-League, Australia's premier football competition, which begins on Thursday night, is threatening to be overshadowed by a bitter pay dispute with its players.

At the season launch on Tuesday, Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief executive David Gallop urged the players' union, the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), to sign what he considered a "good deal" for players.

"We wanted it to happen last week and we call on it to happen this week so we can settle into the season," Gallop said.

"I am frustrated about the time that it's taken. Indications from the PFA leadership are that the deal is agreed but needs to be ratified."

"The bottom line is affordability. The offer on the table is a good deal. It accommodates the PFA's desire to see a 'whole of game' CBA (collective bargaining agreement) -- the Socceroos, Matildas and the A-League -- over four years."

Gallop said both sides, at this stage, did not want strike action to disrupt games.

"I think the fans would expect the games would go ahead in any circumstances and I think the PFA recognize that as well," he said.

Last month, Australia's international female side, the Matildas, who reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Canada earlier this year, called off its tour of the United States to show their displeasure at pay package offered under the new deal.

The PFA on Tuesday claimed the FFA needed to provide a "strong financial foundation" in order for the A-League to attract and maintain world-class players.

The A-League has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2004. Along with the success of the national team, the Socceroos, the A-League has helped give the country a renewed interest in the "world game," which is now the third most popular football code after Australian football and rugby league.

It will be looking to build on that popularity in the forthcoming season, the 11th overall.

The league's newest franchise, the Western Sydney Wanderers, will be looking to shake off the disappointment of last season against Brisbane Roar in the season opener on Thursday.

The Wanderers, who had a mixed year winning the 2013/14 Asian Champions League while finishing second bottom of the A-League, has looked to shore up its defensive stocks this season, signing Melbourne City keeper Andrew Redmayne.

Brisbane, meanwhile, has endured a horror off-season with the club struggling to stay afloat, despite being a powerhouse of the league a mere 18 months ago.

The club, under new manager John Aloisi, attracted very few signings over the off-season and lost Socceroos midfielder Luke Brattan following mounting player unrest and staff debts.

The loss of captain Mark Milligan shapes as the biggest obstacle last year's champions, Melbourne Victory, must overcome if they hope to reach the summit once again.

Victory will travel to South Australia on Friday to face Adelaide United in their first match.

Adelaide United has also a manager at the helm, Barcelona legend Guillermo Amor.

Amor, who played 421 games for the Catalonian club, will look to extend on the work of his predecessor Josep Gombau, who in his two years at the Reds implemented a fluent, European-style game plan.

Perth Glory, who was sensationally thrown out of the A-league finals last season for breaching the salary cap, lacks depth following a mass exodus of players following the scandal.

Glory tackle Central Coast Mariners, the club responsible for launching the careers of European players Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace) and Mat Ryan (Valencia).

The coach of Sydney FC, runners up last season, Graham Arnold has assured fans he will stay at the Sky Blues despite approaches to take up an undisclosed role at a high-profile European club.

Melbourne City has serious ambitions of a title tilt in its second year -- since being acquired by the Manchester City group.

City, formerly known as Melbourne heart, reached the semi-finals last season -- the highest finish in the club's short history.

The Wellington Phoenix, a revelation last year finishing fourth, will start favorites against the rebuilding Newcastle Jets. Endi