They, in turn, referred the matter and file to FIFA, unbeknown to either North Shore or Soccer New Zealand. But, the end of the story doesn't end there. Apparently, there is No Right of Appeal, but the matter has been taken up by Soccer New Zealand's Bob Patterson on behalf of the North Shore United club. Meantime, whilst all this is going on, a North Shore U11 side enters the Kanga Cup in Canberra, and defeats a Georgian side in the Final 2-1. More important, still, is the likely impact of the West Hams and Crystal Palaces making inroads into Australia, where they have contractural arrangements in place.
Players leaving New Zealand, if under contract to any club, miss out on any transfer money.
Yet, the clubs have spent time and money on many player development programmes - without compensation. Mouths dropped, pens and words were started to be written and FAXed. Following an outpouring of protest from soccer lovers, Sky TV was forced to relent, and suddenly announced 24 hours later, that Premier League would be back on the same basis as previous years. Sky TV Director of Programming, Kevin Cameron, would not answer calls from Radio Sport until after the official announcement that Sky TV was unable to obtain English Premier League football coverage from ESPN because IMG had bought thr viewing rights ahead of them. All football followers will also realise that Palace are the club that Terry Venables resigned his position as Australian National team boss, to rejoin.