KEY POINTS:
The chances of a New Zealand team competing in a third A-League season are hanging by a thread.
And it is highly unlikely that an Auckland-based team will kick a ball in the 2007-08 Hyundai A-League. The remaining hope appears to be with the Wellington/Manawatu bid, but even
that is not certain to succeed.
Crisis talks in Sydney today before tomorrow's crucial Football Federation Australia board meeting are the key and could determine whether a New Zealand club will be playing in Australia's premier domestic competition for a ninth straight season after the Football Kingz debut in the 1999-2000 National Soccer League.
FFA operations manager Matt Carroll said last night that he'd "had better days" after learning the Auckland bid fronted by Alan Sefton had fallen over.
Also in jeopardy is a multimillion-dollar television deal with Fox Sports if the FFA does not deliver an eight-team competition.
Carroll, who said he could not say much as FFA chief executive Ben Buckley had been otherwise engaged yesterday, admitted "there are some difficulties" in getting a New Zealand-based franchise across the line.
Carroll said he was disappointed in efforts by New Zealand Soccer at this crucial stage.
"Before Christmas they did the hard yards in trying to make this work," said Carroll.
"Now it is show time, I'm not so sure. Yes, we need eight teams but if we have to create a team to do that, I'm sure we could find one in Australia.
"Having a [New Zealand] team in the Hyundai A-League is more for the benefit of New Zealand Soccer than the FFA. Earlier, they were very bullish in saying they felt they could meet our requirements. That doesn't seem to be the case now."
Last night Sefton said "given more time" his group could reconsider their position.
"You can't raise millions of dollars in one or two weeks. The problem is that part of equation the FFA wanting $2 million or $3 million guaranteed on day one."
He added: "We have got a verbal commitment from a group of people who are keen to see it happen, but they need to see someone out front.
"We are reasonable people and would look at anything. But given the deadline, we feel it better to pull out and hope that the Wellington bid can go ahead."
NZS chief executive Graham Seatter said the national body "can't make a contribution" but remained hopeful a New Zealand team would be in the A-League.
Wellington/Manawatu bid boss John Dow said he hopes "all New Zealanders" will get behind their bid.
"We have always been determined to succeed," said Dow.
"We have put a proposal which we think can work."
Of the FFA insistence that All Whites coach Ricki Herbert be involved with any New Zealand team in the league, Dow said that "was not a problem".
