Soccer: Phoenix issue warning to rival codes

The CEO of the Wellington Phoenix football franchise has sounded a warning to rival codes ahead of the ';A'; League season.

With Ricki Herbert';s side gathering momentum ahead of the opening match of the season on August 26, CEO Tony Pignata believes rugby's traditional hold on the spectator dollar in the capital could be loosening.

Pignata believes football is ready to take the next step in New Zealand and will be boosted massively by not only the Phoenix, but also through success at an international level.

Pignata said rugby bosses in particular should be rightly concerned.

He believes if the All Whites can qualify for the next Football World Cup there will be an explosion here.

He said the rise in popularity of football in Australia has NRL and AFL bosses worried and Pignata thinks the same concerns could be replicated here.

The Phoenix play their final pre-season cup match against the Newcastle Jets on Friday night at Westpac Stadium, before opening the ';A'; League season against reigning premiers the Melbourne Victory at the same venue on Sunday August 26.

- NEWSTALK ZB