FOOTBALL Federation Australia is heading for a showdown with outspoken Gold Coast United owner Clive Palmer over the club's future in the A-League just as the push to rebadge the club Queensland United and turn it into a travelling roadshow gathers momentum.

Palmer has been a strident critic of the economics of the A-League since he established Gold Coast three years ago, and often hinted he would be prepared to help fund the competition himself in exchange for a lead role in decision-making. As yet, however, the billionaire mining magnate has not presented a business plan to outline any offer, and in the meantime Gold Coast continue to play in front of paltry crowds at Skilled Park. There are few signs they are building a relationship with the local football community.

Poor … crowds have been paltry at Skilled Park. Credit:Getty Images

It's believed Palmer held discussions with a senior FFA board member this week to elaborate on his concerns, and chairman Frank Lowy will dispatch chief executive Ben Buckley to Queensland to meet Palmer within the next fortnight to try and reach a consensus about the club's direction.

Palmer was unavailable for comment yesterday, while the FFA has declined to make any public statements, but it's understood the issue is being brought to a head by the need to complete next season's draw.