It is all part of the original (and ongoing, renewable) permission given by the AFC to the team from another federation to play in an AFC league.
With the demise of Bin Hamman this may perhaps be resolved one day to our advantage, if FFA continues to bat for us.
The exemption is based on the fact that Phoenix are classified as an Australian club located in New Zealand, but clearly not 100%.
Are you saying these restrictions are imposed by the AFC and FFA reluctantly goes along or does FFA actually like them and uses the AFC to impose them thus deflecting any cross Tasman sense of injustice?
Are you really sure FFA is batting for the Phoenix on this or are they just paying lip service?