The parent company behind the Wellington Phoenix football club has avoided court action over unpaid ACC levies, as financial strife continues to afflict the Australian A-League, with several clubs being propped up by the country's governing body.
The ACC was pursuing $260,000 owed by Century City Football, the sole shareholder of which is Phoenix owner Terry Serepisos.
After threatening liquidation over the outstanding dues, the ACC's confirmed that the payment has been received.
The Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert denies the background issues are affecting the players and hails Serepisos as being good for football in this country while strikers Paul Ifill and Chris Greenacre both also went into bat for their boss - Ifill says he's never had any problems getting paid and people forget how much good the Phoenix do for the sport while Greenacre maintains the dressing room's also right behind the owner.
New Zealand Football chairman Frank van Hattum says the only money they're putting into the Phoenix is for the new reserve team and as compensation for Herbert's role as All Whites coach.
Van Hattum calls the money an investment and hails the club as very good for the code here, as it provides a professional pathway for players.
