#INSERT type:image caption:Football Federation Australia has denied the Wellington Phoenix a 10-year licence extension to play in the A-League. END#
SYDNEY -- Football Federation Australia has denied the Wellington Phoenix a 10-year licence extension to play in the A-League, increasing speculation the New Zealand-based team's place in the 10-team competition may be offered to another Australian team.
Wellington's licence ends in 2016 and, while other A-League teams have 20-year licences, the FFA has repeatedly shown reluctance to give the Phoenix a guarantee of a more secure place.
FFA head David Gallop said Wellington could apply for a four-year extension, through 2020, but his comments on Monday offered little hope of that succeeding. Gallop said the Phoenix application for a 10-year extension "does not meet the requirements we see as fundamental to the future growth of the A-League."
Local media reports suggest Wellington's place may be offered to a third Sydney-based team.