Wellington Phoenix’s A-League future has been thrown into deeper doubt with Football Federation Australia declining the club’s request for a 10-year licence extension.

The FFA said the Phoenix, whose current licence expires at the end of the current season, still have the option of requesting a four-year licence until the conclusion of the 2019/20 season.

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“FFA has carefully evaluated the role and contribution of the Wellington franchise in terms of game development, player pathway, commercial factors, broadcast rights and the long-term strategic outlook,” FFA boss David Gallop said in a statement on Monday.

“The application for a 10-year extension to the licence does not meet the requirements we see as fundamental to the future growth of the Hyundai A-League.”