Three days after Football Federation Australia’s "bombshell refusal" of a long-term A-League license to Wellington, "no club has supported the move," according to the AAP. The cries of anguish "are naturally loudest in New Zealand, fearing the end of their professional footballing outfit, and Sydney, where existing teams are concerned over cannibalisation of the market." Sydney FC Chair Scott Barlow "feels upset and disrespected," and coach Graham Arnold "lashed out on Wednesday," furiously calling on FFA CEO David Gallop to stay true to assurances given to club chairmen that new licenses "are not on the agenda." Gallop "confirmed on Wednesday they were very much an option should the Phoenix exit at the end of this season," and admitted to "looking carefully" at Sydney. Barlow "has led the chorus of outrage" over FFA’s decision this week not to grant a new 10-year license to the Phoenix, whose A-League deal expires in May (AAP, 10/30).
UNITED FRONT: In Melbourne, Dominic Bossi reported key stakeholders "have begun forming a blueprint for an A-League team that will unite three regions" of Sydney's south involving organizations ranging from local FAs to councils and businesses. From Rockdale down to Wollongong, a new A-League team "has already received the full support of politicians and those governing grassroots football." Local organizations "have moved quickly to establish one model for a united front to establish a team, primarily based in the Sutherland shire, playing the bulk of home games at Remondis Stadium in Woolooware." Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce said, "If we do something here it will probably be an amalgamation between Sutherland Shire, St. George and Wollongong. We would like to run it out of Remondis and utilize that particular stadium during the [National Rugby League] off-season as it's central between Wollongong and St. George" (THE AGE, 10/29).
