Licence Extension

I think that HN has said it nicely for you.

As a guess, here are my tips for the above:

1. Won't happen
2. Won't happen
3. Hound the FFA, hanging to see their response, but if 'current licence conditions' are to remain, then this is unlikely.
4. OCL maybe, ACL unlikely.

5 year licence also tells me that FIFA won't touch Oceania until after 2014 World Cup, hence giving them time to forumlate a solution and leaving the current qualifying path for 2014 largely as it is.

OCL Never, ACL unlikely.

Who would foot the Yoof squad bill? If let in I mean.
All Serepisos? Or NZF too?

Great news, tempered by this 'only' 5 years and lack of ACL place carry on.

If the NZFC, just the club.  NYL, a bit more blurry, but I would think there would be an uproar from certain (small and knitting circles) if NZF put money in to it, despite the obvious benefits.
Hard News2010-04-20 21:02:45

I also think the "local" Welly Pop would be more welcoming & appreciative of ACL participation than maybe some recent Australian entries have shown themselves to be.

Stoked to know we can continue our yearly trans-Tasman football adventure.

Nicest thing about this is just to see some common sense, which usually goes missing in the murky world of football politics.

seems to be a compromise to me. Asia footy fed would love to kick phoenix out but after 2mil raised thru the finals series the FFA want them to stay, esp with all the propping up of other clubs that they are doing.

an interesting aside would be whether (god forbid) terry withdrew his backing from the phoenix then the FFA would step in and prop us up to. not likely me thinks.

Personally I find 5 years extension is a total insult when the other A-League clubs has a 10 year extension. Three A-League clubs are currently being financially underwritten by the FFA, another club is rumoured to lost their rich owner with way below average crowds in its 1st season and another club having teething financial problems in the 1st season. Yet WPFC is one of the most stable clubs in the League. The discrimination is very unnecessary. This is the part that really makes me mad.

I can only hope that Mohamed Bin Hamam lose in the next fifa/afc election to a better and more empathic leader. What did we ever do to him? It's not our fault that any middle east teams couldn't get to the World Cup Finals, they only got themselves to blame for that.

OFC needs NZ to stay and not move over to AFC or OFC will become a sub-confederation under AFC. NZ needs to go to AFC to get better quality games. AFC needs stronger teams and NZ can lift their standard but they are unsure about getting the other OFC teams. It's a round and round the circle again and again. If AFC is broken up in two or three areas, then the number of contested WC spots are fought by a few will result in weaker countries completing and some strong countries being left out.

Despite the other AFC or OFC countries reluctance to join because of the travel arrangements, it is nonsense because the AFC is already broken into 5 regional sub-confederations to save cost with only the top teams completing for higher places. One more regional sub-confederation is not going to that much more different logistically until the final stages of qualifying. Which is why AFC does not want the OFC winner and runner-up in the AFC's final qualifying groups at the moment because it means that technically they can cater for the OFC teams to join AFC.

As I posted in Arsenal's thread, got this text also - great news and though its not 10 years at least we're sticking around!  Will be interesting to see over the next few years how the other clubs' profitability goes, being one of the most professionally run clubs and a good breadwinner for the FFA in the finals series certainly would have made it stupid for the licence not to be renewed.

Happy for you guys...

Although happy to have at least 5 more years (of course - first 3 have been great!) I feel the same thoughts as AWB as well - it should really have been 10!

I'd like them to explain why it is 5 instead of 10. If, like they say, everything has been sorted out then I don't see why we aren't being treated the same.

I did yet I still have $8.86 on my phone...

The 5 year is a FIFA approval to play in the A League which is a league outside our Confederation. FFA were happy to give us a 10 year licence.  In regards to terms and conditions no change for us. The ACL is a separate discussion and down the track. We have had a win which is positive

The 5 year is a FIFA approval to play in the A League which is a league outside our Confederation. FFA were happy to give us a 10 year licence.  In regards to terms and conditions no change for us. The ACL is a separate discussion and down the track. We have had a win which is positive and great newsTony P2010-04-21 10:01:21

Yep, well done Tony. Roll on May 1 for season ticket sales???

So does that mean FIFA still aren't 100% happy with the situation and that they can only approve 5 years because of it?

Good job, anyway - can't have been easy. Other club CEO's don't have to worry about this!
valeo2010-04-21 12:47:21

Five years at least gives some stability and ability to plan forward.

Aha! I couldn't understand why I got this too. given my phone's not prepaid.
Well nice to find out eventually...hopefully all will be back on track for key pre-season announcements!

Hopefully it is only five because the OFC will only exist for a maximum of that long and after that FIFA approval will be a moot point. Although I am thankful to the OFC for their push in this instance.

P.S. This also appears that despite what MBH says what FIFA says goes.
SC032010-04-21 16:22:04

Isn't MBH likely to be the next FIFA Prez?

This is a great result.

Fantastic news! Anyone tell me how to put photo's on here (in a simple old bloke kind of way)?

click on the tree icon after clicking on post reply.  (don't use quick reply) Oceanic62010-04-22 10:11:29

People keep saying that, but with his earlier comments, I think he would be very poor as the head of FIFA.

Either way, there is a lot that FIFA needs to sort out with the AFC/OFC setup, and the FFA needs to sort out their revenue sharing for the Finals.

And Phoenix need a youth/reserve squad, since the Phoenix propped up the FFA and their three A-League clubs for another year with the finals money generated.

If they don't get an ACL spot, the next best option would be a second team for the reserves and youth players to get games.

or you can put [IMG] www.example.com/picture.jpg [/IMG ] but without the space at the end between the G]

  Wibblebutt2010-04-22 16:09:29

Phoenix for five more years at least, my life is complete!

Positive thinking - I like it.

I don't think so, there is more to do . . .

Better than going under next year and there being no phoenix. Least we can know we will watch the phoenix for the next 5 years. My life is complete for the next 5 years

(very very happy nix fan)

Confirmed by FIFA overnight.

Brilliant.  Cheers Sepp and friends!

Ah, the rubber stamp from FIFA.
Excellent!