Football Federation Australia (FFA) has rejected Wellington Phoenix’s request for a 10-year A-League license renewal, allowing only a four-year renewal instead.
The decision does not mean the club will no longer partake in the A-League. Rather, it pours doubt onto the future of the New Zealand-based club which has been actively seeking a license extension to no avail thus far.
The current license expires at the end of the current 2015-16 season.
FFA CEO David Gallop said the decision was made “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,” Gallop said.
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“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 Hyundai A-League.”
FFA reiterated the club still has a future in the league but may only apply for a four-year license extension.
The Phoenix entered the A-League in 2007 following the demise of the old New Zealand Knights and have been regarded as one of the more stabler clubs in the A-League in a financial sense.
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