Federal MP Kristy McBain calls on Capital Football to reverse Monaro Panthers axing

The Panthers were investigating their options, but were yet to receive any advice from the governing body about what the appeal process was - or if there even was one.

The Canberra Times asked Capital Football about that process on Monday, but they refused to reveal it.

McBain was elected to federal parliament in July and provided a letter of support as part of Monaro's application to remain in the NPLW - which the club was only given a matter of weeks to prepare after Capital Football sprung their decision to cut one of the nine clubs on them at the end of the season.

The member for Eden-Monaro said the decision to axe the Panthers was another blow to the region, which has already been devastated by bushfire and the coronavirus pandemic.

In her letter of support for the Panthers, McBain pointed to about $100 million invested into sporting facilities at Jerrabomberra and Bungendore as infrastructure that would help bolster the talent pool in the Monaro region.

But rubbing salt into the Panthers' still fresh wounds are rumours Capital Football has had talks with the Queanbeyan-Palerang council for their Canberra United Academy to be based at the Jerrabomberra sporting complex.

Now the same CUA program - that Capital Football not only funds, but also voted to keep instead of the Panthers - could be based in the heart of the Monaro district.

McBain sought to speak with Capital Football chief executive Phil Brown urgently.

"I am extremely disappointed by Capital Football's decision to cut the Monaro Panthers from the women's premier league," McBain told The Canberra Times.

"I am deeply concerned about what this will mean for regional women's football throughout Eden-Monaro.

"This is another blow for the region after what has already been an incredibly challenging year with bushfires and COVID-19.

"I am seeking an urgent meeting with Capital Football - I urge them to reconsider this devastating decision."

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Monaro have also called on Capital Football to meet with them to explain the decision and also to provide all the documentation associated with it.

They see it as a matter of urgency, given rival clubs have already started circling their players and coaches.

Four days after Capital Football announced the Panthers would be cut, Monaro secretary John Santolin said they still didn't know what avenues they had to appeal.

"We don't know. We have sought that from Capital Football. There's nothing in the documentation that's come out from anyone about that," Santolin said.

"Clubs are already swooping on our players, on our coaches. It's like the carcass is down there.

"If we don't have this thing resolved this week, there's not any point to us being readmitted because we might not have coaches, we might not have any players."

Concerns were raised about the transparency and objectivity of Capital Football's process - none of which have been allayed since Friday.

"Regarding an appeal process with the 2021 declaration of leagues, Capital Football is in contact with the club regarding the process so we won't be making any comment at this time," a spokesperson said.