WELLINGTON – Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante says New Zealand football could be destroyed if the Wellington club is booted out of the A-League.
The Phoenix’s request for a 10-year licence was declined by Football Federation Australia on Monday, throwing the club’s future into doubt.
They have instead been offered the option of requesting a four-year licence until the end of the 2019/20 season.
Durante said it would be a huge blow to see the Phoenix fold.
“It’s unfathomable. To see this club go under would be pretty shocking for the kids of New Zealand, footballers, up-and-coming aspiring kids, even the younger players we have here at the Phoenix through the academies.
“It would destroy football in my opinion if the club was to go under,” he said after training on Wednesday.
Phoenix management are seeking clarity from the FFA before deciding whether to apply for the shorter-than-expected A-League licence extension.
The FFA last year extended the length of the licences of all nine Australia-based clubs until 2034.
FFA boss David Gallop said on Monday the Phoenix’s application for a 10-year extension didn’t meet requirements seen as fundamental to the future growth of the A-League.
Durante said the FFA’s decision was both annoying and frustrating, particularly given the good condition the club had maintained since the current Welnix group took over ownership in 2011.
“We’re not going through any financial troubles,” he said.
“You look around at the other clubs who are folding, who the FFA are having to prop up.”
