Canberra's bid team is still waiting for a response from Football Federation Australia, almost two months after submitting a multi-million dollar offer to acquire an A-League licence.
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The Capital Region Football Collective will seek an update from the FFA next week, with bid leaders Michael Caggiano and Bede Gahan eager to work with the peak body and learn Canberra's A-League fate.
The European-backed group tabled an offer in excess of $4-million in late August, to either acquire the available Central Coast licence or that of another expansion club.
Their investors want to see progress and should the FFA fail to respond soon, they'll likely look else where for international acquisitions.
"We don't have a decision yet but the FFA has been working on a lot of things recently with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement for the players and kick-off for the upcoming season - which we didn't plan to be a part of. Those things are hard, take time and effort," Caggiano said.
"We're pretty understanding we're on the list of things to sort out, but there's things ahead of us that they're working through.
"[The European investors] are being a little flexible but they're still wanting to see progress. The FFA needs to make a decision and tell everyone soon."
If Capital Region's bid is successful, it's expected they'll be ready to take the field from the 2021-22 season - but Caggiano hopes it's as a 13th A-League team.
Like the Mariners, the Newcastle Jets are also in danger of going under with the embattled club searching for a new owner and A-League coach.
"In a time where a number of teams seem to be struggling financially, Canberra is ready and waiting to go - and to prove it won't be a financial risk to the league or other teams in the ongoing future," Caggiano said.
"We're a sure bet, a team ready to go and that's comforting in a time where there's so much uncertainty. We can bring comfort and a safe pair of hands."