The announcement has come after years of discussion at all levels of the game about how to fix the domestic game’s structural problems,most pertinently its lack of a competitive pyramid including promotion and relegation.

Johnson said promotion and relegation will for now not be introduced immediately,with sustainability to be prioritised,but that the long-term goal would be “connecting” the pyramid.

“What is important is for clubs that would like to hold on to players,sign contracts for longer periods,which means an increase in value of the transfer value of the squad,” he said. “There may be ways to align through transfer windows so the players can effectively make loans between two tiers.

“There are no immediate plans to connect the NPL to the second tier,but I think one day there certainly will be.”

Johnson said FA will encourage state federations to allow second-tier clubs to continue to field sides in their local NPL competitions. He also foreshadowed a Champions League-style competition for both the NPL men’s and women’s may also be introduced in 2025.

Sydney United weresanctioned last year by FA last year and life bans issued to two spectators for making Nazi salutes during their Australia Cup final loss to Macarthur FC.

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