Wellington Phoenix are weighing their next steps after receiving feedback on their exclusion from the new Oceania Professional League, according to Stuff. General manager David Dome raised the possibility of seeking judicial review of the Oceania Football Confederation’s (OFC) decision and even escalating the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
The Pro League, set to begin in Auckland in January and award a spot at the FIFA Club World Cup, selected eight “preferred clubs.” From New Zealand, Auckland FC and Christchurch United were admitted, leaving the Phoenix sidelined despite being the country’s only team in a professional competition. Dome described the ruling as “nonsensical” and admitted the club felt “devastated” to lose what he called a long-awaited path to the Club World Cup.
The OFC assigned scores out of 175 based on 42 licensing criteria. On Friday, the confederation confirmed all clubs had received their feedback. Phoenix officials remain concerned about how subjective criteria were assessed, questioning whether the process was carried out thoroughly and transparently.
New Zealand Football signaled full support for Phoenix in its call for clarity. Christchurch United hailed their inclusion as the culmination of a decade-long project, citing investments in facilities and partnerships with Pacific federations. Auckland FC also welcomed the decision, pointing to the chance to compete for a Club World Cup berth and stating they will focus solely on building their team.
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