A-League side Sydney FC Chair Scott Barlow praised Football Federation Australia's decision to "retain Wellington Phoenix in the A-League and withdraw their immediate interest in establishing a team in Sydney's southern suburbs," according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Wellington and FFA are set to announce a minimum four-year license extension in the A-League, "which could be formally concluded as early as next week." While yet to be finalized, Barlow welcomed the deal that is set to "keep the Phoenix in the competition for the medium to long term as well as delay the introduction of a team in their core supporter base." Barlow: "My understanding is that a deal is yet to be reached between the FFA and Wellington but I'd certainly welcome a deal that saw Wellington remain in the competition long term. They're a very well run club financially, they're secure and they add a lot to the A-League and I know the other club chairmen share that view. From a South Sydney perspective, the region continues to be a vital and important one for Sydney FC and we'll do everything we can to ensure that remains the case long into the future." FFA is understood to be "eager to introduce an A-League club in Sydney's south which boasts the largest number of registered football players in the country" (SMH, 1/18).
