Wellington Phoenix sextet cleared to play by New Zealand

Wellington Phoenix sextet cleared to play by New Zealand

New Zealand Football have cleared six Wellington Phoenix players to play for their club ahead of next week’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Mexico

Glen Moss, Jacob Spoonley, Leo Bertos, Andrew Durante, Ben Sigmund and Jeremy Brockie are all eligible to play for the Phoenix against the Perth Glory in Christchurch on Saturday before being released for international duty on the same day.

The All Whites face El Tri in the first leg of the OFC v CONCACAF playoff at the Azteca Stadium on November 13 and will have the Phoenix sextet, plus Glory striker Shane Smeltz, available for the trip.

Phoenix general manager David Dome said: “The Phoenix is very pleased with the resolution to this issue and we are extremely happy that all parties – New Zealand Football, Football Federation Australia, Fox Sports, Sky, Air New Zealand, Perth Glory, Vbase, Ticketek - have all come together to make this happen.

“The communication between New Zealand Football and the Club since the weekend has been first class – open and honest and with the best interests of football always at the fore.

“Everyone involved has done their best to meet the obligations to sponsors, fans and the A-League and to ensure that all teams affected have the best chance of success.

“It shows what can be achieved when everyone works together in good faith for an outcome that benefits football overall.

“We just need a big crowd in Christchurch to make all the effort worthwhile.”