KEY POINTS:
The role of New Zealand Soccer (NZS) has become a chief concern for the sole New Zealand franchise in the running to participate in next year's A-League competition.
Wellington-Palmerston North bid chief John Dow reacted frostily to a report today which suggested Football Federation Australia (FFA) would grant its eighth licence -- which was formerly owned by the New Zealand Knights -- to NZS, which would then sub-let it to a franchise.
Dow said such a scenario would not sit well with his bid.
"It would be fair to say that's an entirely unacceptable situation for anyone to be put in," Dow told Radio Sport.
"That was not the basis on which anyone entered into this. We were aware that NZS was to have a role of some sort and we've spent the last period of time trying to get them to tell us what exactly that would be.
"Now have they changed position on that?"
Dow was awaiting formal response from FFA boss Matt Carroll and was surprised not to hear from him after FFA and NZS officials completed a teleconference yesterday.
"I had a conversation with (Carroll) on Sunday outlining exactly where we were at and where we were proceeding. I got the distinct impression he thought that was very good.
"He undertook to get back to me pretty quickly on that but there seems to have been some changes occur in that period of time."
An Auckland consortium withdrew its bit on Tuesday, saying the FFA's deadline was too tight.
Dow said he had no concern with the deadline, saying his consortium had submitted its written proposal on Monday as was required.
In it he sought clarification of key points, such as NZS's involvement.
He had originally understood the FFA expected a "significant" financial contribution from NZS to any successful New Zealand franchise but this had never been formally clarified.
NZS chief executive Graham Seatter has always maintained the national body wouldn't commit money.
Dow insisted finances weren't an issue for his bid but clarification of the licence was needed before money could be guaranteed. The FFA needed to trust them that the money would be forthcoming
"Money has never has been a problem. If the basic fundamentals are in place -- and FFA and NZS to a lesser extent have a responsibility to help us get those fundamentals in place -- then the money isn't a problem," he said.
"We've been acting in good faith all the way. We're prepared to work with anybody, we've spoken to (Knights and All Whites coach) Ricki Herbert."
The ground shifted yesterday when the FFA extended the deadline for a watertight New Zealand proposal until March 1.
Previously, today's FFA board meeting in Sydney had been seen as the last bid opportunity.
It remains to be seen if the Auckland consortium will re-enter the race.
The Sydney Morning Herald today said a franchise from North Queensland was ready to answer an SOS from the FFA if a New Zealand bid fell through.
However, Carroll said New Zealand remained the FFA's strong preference to hold the final licence.
"We are encouraging them (NZS) to make it happen. Maybe the Wellington bid is not quite where it should be but we are prepared to listen," Carroll said.
- NZPA
