The news story on this site explaining that Oceania has said "no" to the Phoenix playing in this years O-League playoffs, has this intriguing last paragraph.
"Meanwhile, Wellington Phoenix officials are also waiting for FIFA to make a decision on the unusual situation, which involves a New Zealand-based Oceania club playing in an Australian competition, sanctioned by the Asian federation, at its executive committee meeting in mid-March."
What's this all about? Should we be worried?
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I read it as getting a Fifa response to the O-League - ACL issue
rather than anything more sinister
rather than anything more sinister
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I read it as getting a Fifa response to the O-League - ACL issue
rather than anything more sinister
rather than anything more sinister
Yeah, tigers, on reading the story again, I think your take is right. Maybe nothing sinister for the 'Nix, but Oceania still has a big problem.
Because FIFA is so insistent they only wants professional teams in the world club champs, could they overule Oceania and insist the Phoenix be included in the O-League playoffs?
Anyone know the answer to that?
Logically, as Oceania only have two seasons to sort this out, it would make sense for them to fastrack the 'Nix into the playoffs ASAP - starting this year - despite what they or other interested parties may feel about the fairness of such a move.
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YF
If you look at my post on the News forum, you will see my reasons why Frank Lowy may be your best friend.
Simply for Oz to Oce Fed to the Asian Fed they needed permission from both Oce, ASIAN & FIFA. Frank gave his word to NZS & FIFA he would do all in his power to help NZF. That is why the Nix are in the A-league because everyone else in OZ wanted another Australian team and ten put up there hand, as you know you guys got in with weeks to go to the season start. Frank is a man of his word so ask Frank if he can help.
Maybe be a three match playoff between Nix and the best of NZF played in windy Wellie, home city or town of the other and a netural ground for the decider.
Socceroo/ Mariner / Whangarei
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Simple, move oceania into to asia grouping, all problems solved.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
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Simple, move oceania into to asia grouping, all problems solved.
Yeah, right. You are joking. Yes? 
Let's stick to Oceania as long as we can. At the moment we'd be crushed in the Asian group. Unless it was further divided up to give "little guys" like us at least a dog's chance of qualifying for World Cups, etc.
Re the "Nix in the O-League" quandary - my original post - there's more on that situation in the news section this morning.
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It is an interesting situation and one that has been much debated. I am still for Wellington being included in the O-League format however there will be vested interests that will rightly see this as a threat to money making jaunts to the World Club Championships. Sadly this protectionism is what will see Oceania lose its spot in the Championships. It is understandable, however I believe ultimately it will be self defeating and the OFC will discover it needs the Phoenix.
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Update:
O-league is still a possibility.
OFC has to wait until June/July on FIFA approval on allowing the Phoenix into a play-off with the O-league winner. They can't just say "yes" although it was already agreed at the December OFC meeting.
OFC has to wait on FFA on the issue of prizemoney as the Phoenix's licence with the FFA to play in the A-League states that any prizemoney would be shared with the seven Australian clubs.
"We don't want to have egg on our faces and find out that after we let them in, Fifa then turn around and say they can't go to Japan."
So OFC has to wait for FIFA first before they could allow Phoenix in the play-offs.
And wait on FFA to change their contact cause with the Phoenix since the Phoenix are not able to be entered into the ACL by the AFC and so the prizemoney that is given to Phoenix as Oceania champion is divided with the other 7 a-league clubs.
It's not a yes or a no, it's a wait for FIFA and FFA.
O-league is still a possibility.
OFC has to wait until June/July on FIFA approval on allowing the Phoenix into a play-off with the O-league winner. They can't just say "yes" although it was already agreed at the December OFC meeting.
OFC has to wait on FFA on the issue of prizemoney as the Phoenix's licence with the FFA to play in the A-League states that any prizemoney would be shared with the seven Australian clubs.
"We don't want to have egg on our faces and find out that after we let them in, Fifa then turn around and say they can't go to Japan."
So OFC has to wait for FIFA first before they could allow Phoenix in the play-offs.
And wait on FFA to change their contact cause with the Phoenix since the Phoenix are not able to be entered into the ACL by the AFC and so the prizemoney that is given to Phoenix as Oceania champion is divided with the other 7 a-league clubs.
It's not a yes or a no, it's a wait for FIFA and FFA.
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