Wellington Phoenix will remain a part of the A-League picture until at least 2016, FIFA decided today, as the executive committee met in Johannesburg.
The committee approved the joint request from the FFA and New Zealand Football to extend the dispensation five years beyond the current 2011 deadline.
The decision comes despite previous opposition from the Asian Football Confederation.
The impact of representation on the game in New Zealand has been obvious as 2009 represented the most successful year in the nation’s footballing history.
The executive committee also officially ratified the possibility of joint hosts for the 2018/2022 World Cups, in another decision with ramifications for the FFA.
While this was not expected to be an issue, it now officially confirms Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Holland as competition for the Australian bid.
The game’s decision makers face a busy week as the world prepares to party.
The FIFA Congress will take place on Wednesday (9/6) and Thursday (10/6) before the opening game between host-nation South Africa and Mexico kicks off the 2010 World Cup on Friday.
As with the rest of the world at the moment, financial issues are likely to dominate discussion with the federation’s financial report due, however President Sepp Blatter is confident about the games position.
“Due to a strong financial result, FIFA will announce an extraordinary financial contribution to its members as well as to the confederations,” he said.
Article link: FIFA backs Phoenix until 2016. Written by Thomas Conlin, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion.
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