The Board of Football Federation Australia (FFA) has announced that it has decided an application from Wellington Phoenix for a 10-year licence extension to compete in the A-League will not be granted.
The current licence term under the Club Participation Agreement (CPA) for Wellington Phoenix expires at the end of the A-League 2015-16 season. Under the CPA, the Club has the option of requesting that FFA lodge an application to the relevant football authorities to seek approval of Phoenix’s participation in the A-League until the conclusion of the 2019-20 season.
Such an application is required in order to seek exemptions from various statutes of Football New Zealand, Oceania Football Confederation, Asian Football Confederation and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
FFA CEO David Gallop said the Board decision was taken in the best interests of Australian football.
“FFA has carefully evaluated the role and contribution of the Wellington franchise in terms of game development, player pathway, commercial factors, broadcast rights and the long-term strategic outlook,” said Gallop. “The application for a 10-year extension to the licence does not meet the requirements we see as fundamental to the future growth of the A-League.”
It will be interesting to see how the Phoenix receive this news, and whether the Wellington board will seek a four year extension.
However, it might not be the end of the road for New Zealand in the A-League. It appears the FFA have made it clear that Phoenix need to improve their proposal. Whether that will be boardroom and management changes or a greater integration with the Australian game is unclear, however it has increased the likelihood of an additional Australian expansion side in the near future.
Kaks
Roar Guru
What
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
This was an FFA Board decision. I'm sure David Gallop had input & commissioned reports and research to assist the Board, but it was a Board decision.
pete4
Guest
The Phoenix should take the 4 year contract extension as lots can change in 4 years time including the FFA CEO
Mister Football
Roar Guru
No denying it was substantially amateurish with a bit of ethnic rivalry thrown in, although interestingly, the Glory was more successful in the NSL then it has been today, and even Newcastle had similar crowds back in the day as they do now.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Well, the victory is the most successful club in Australia (and prior to that, Hellas became the Oceania team of the century), so it's questionable whether participation numbers is a good forecaster of whether a club will be successful or not.
lester
Guest
That is a ludicrous idea with an indication that you don't really have any idea in how world football really works. A cross confederation rebel league would be shut down unbelievably quickly.
Kaks
Roar Guru
"Has there ever been any clear evidence that illustrates this is the case" No, but if you were going to create a new football team that you hope to grow and become successful would you put them in a region with a high number of football players or a high number of Rugby or AFL players?
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
Surely you're having a laugh! Did you actually attend NSL games?? It was amateur hour riddled with ethnic rivalry.
CG2430
Guest
IIRC it was also a favour to NZ Football or Oceania when we bailed to the AFC. And it was an Auckland team at the time, but point taken.
Sean
Guest
This is something I don't quite understand - the suggestion that grass roots football numbers is evidence that a region can sustain an a-league team? Has there ever been any clear evidence that illustrates this is the case? That the families of junior footballers are taking out a-league memberships and actively supporting an a-league side? I don't think they are the same thing and I think it would be a dangerous assumption for the FFA to make. Just because parents like their kids participating in football as a sport, doesn't mean they're going to pay to attend a-league matches, or take up a membership. I live in the Shire and know plenty of families with kids playing the round ball game, who couldn't give two hoots about the a-league or supporting a professional football team. They see soccer as a good team sport for their kids and that's it. And of the people that I know who are interested in a-league football, they've never cried out for their own Shire team; they attend SFC games. I've yet to come across a football fan from this area who is actively stating that they don't feel represented by SFC or WSW and want to see a Shire based a-league team. that they can support and get behind.
Fido Rover
Guest
Seems Oz does not care about NZ football. Suggest NZ football pay back Oz football. No reason why NZ should not include Oz teams. Might be worth now NZFA looking into a counter league of 10 teams, Kerry Packer style. Would start low key, but if a major sponsor can be found could take 3 NZ teams and 7 from Oz on east coast, some from Melbourne eg South Melbourne and Sydney United. This would give the FFA the kick it needs. Take a few years to organize. Could even be played in winter. Could have bitter league champions play off, and access to World Club competition via Oceania
Matthew
Guest
THe NSL isnt drawing huge crowds either. Its a donkey argument. To be honest I was never a fan of having Wellington Phoenix in the A-League. The only reason they were is when the FFA were trying to scrounge up teams for the first A League season they didnt have enough and so looked at NZ.
Fido Rover
Guest
Will be Foxtels loss. Only reason a lot of us Kiwis get pay TV. History of football is expansion geographically, champions league, NSL and A league from State Leagues. Backward thinking. Phoenix vs CCM, Sydney and WSW only games I go to.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Yeh, lets go back to one of the most insular and atrociously ran competitions just because we arent renewing the license of a team from another country (and football confederation) who knew they would not be able to stay in the A-league for the long hall as the AFC gave special dispensation to the Nix being in our competition for a short amount of time
hog
Guest
Agreed, that white elephant was a cancer that slowly killed them.
Ian
Guest
Yeah, Newcastle, Brisbane and City are all being closed down this year because Wellington aren't having their licence application renewed for 10 yrs. Can you actually name 10 teams from the NSL.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Canberra deserves it, but the Shire will probably get it. Not too fussed as the Shire has the grass roots to sustain a football club, but I'm still disappointed out nations capital is not represented in the National league. Oh well, good luck to the Hobbits from The Shire
John From Melbourne
Guest
I have always said this A-league is on loose foundations. Who's next to go I wonder, Newcastle has always had ownership issues, Brisbane is on shaky ground, Melbourne Citys' crowd figures are not improving. Interesting times. Maybe its time to get rid of the A-league and start fresh with teams from the NSL. Teams with history, crowds and certainly financially speaking.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
"game development, player pathway, commercial factors, broadcast rights" - The Nix don't provide any of those. Glad to see the back of them. Time to bring in a team in from the Nation's capital - a lot of great players have been come from Canberra - Ned Zelic, Paul Wade, Tony Popovic, Vince Grella etc
Fadida
Guest
Lose the Cake Tin Phienix!