The Phoenix will lose their five All Whites when they play the Glory. Source: Getty Images
WELLINGTON Phoenix could be without their five All Whites for next week's fifth-round A-League match against Perth Glory in Christchurch.
New Zealand Football (NZF) has requested that Glen Moss, Leo Bertos, Andrew Durante, Ben Sigmund and Jeremy Brockie miss the November 9 match, which is four days ahead of the Kiwis' World Cup qualifier in Mexico.
The first-leg match was brought forward to November 13 after the A-League draw was made. The second leg is in Wellington on November 20.
FIFA regulations state that players called up to a full international must be released five days before the match, inclusive of the day of the game.
Players may play on the first day of the window for their club if the association agrees.
Phoenix general manager David Dome says the club have worked hard for a compromise solution.
A schedule which enabled the Phoenix All Whites to make the proposed NZF flights had been arranged, allowing for the players to be in Auckland in time for their flight to Los Angeles with the rest of the squad following the clash with Glory in Christchurch.
This has been rejected by NZF.
Dome said the club was extremely disappointed that NZF had decided not to allow the Phoenix's All Whites to play against Perth.
He said during the October FIFA window, the Phoenix had - in good faith - allowed their New Zealand internationals to be released for a longer window than regulations required.
The All Whites played two club friendlies and a training match in the United States during that time.
"We were hoping NZF would accept our unique position of having five players called out of our squad with the change in the window, and to reach a compromise with us," Dome said.
He said the club were still clarifying some technical definitions of the regulations with FIFA, with a view to players being made available for the Christchurch game.
02 Nov, 2013
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/wellington-phoenix-disappointed-to-lose-five-all-whites-players-for-perth-clash/story-fndkzvnd-1226751776110?from=public_rss
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