FIFA World Cup playoff delivers financial boost to All Whites

Although the All Whites last week failed to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals, New Zealand Football is anticipating a surplus of approximately $6 million for 2013, largely as a result of the commercial success of the All Whites intercontinental playoff with Mexico.

In addition to the sell out crowd of over 35,000 for the home leg of the tie at Wellington's Westpac Stadium on Wednesday 20th November, New Zealand Football negotiated a significant television rights deal for the playoff with international broadcaster Univision.

The deal saw the tie broadcast in more than 130 countries around the world.

New Zealand Football interim Chief Executive Mark Aspden confirmed that the large surplus would help the organisation to continue to develop in all areas.

Aspden explained "despite the on field result against Mexico, the money secured from the playoff tie allows us to move forward with confidence in our development plans for the game at all levels.

"While we are hugely disappointed that we couldn't secure a berth at the FIFA World Cup this time around - which was of course our overriding objective - this financial boost will greatly assist our sport over the next few years."

"The benefits of this surplus will be seen from our grassroots development programmes right through to our elite teams as we continue to develop football on a sustainable basis.

"The passionate crowd at (last week)'s match was proof of the depth of New Zealand's support for the All Whites and for the sport in general.

"With the progress that the Football Ferns have been making, the fact that we will be hosting the FIFA Men's under 20 World Cup in 2015 and the continuing growth in player numbers at junior levels, it is an exciting time for football in New Zealand."

Image: Rory Fallon celebrates scoring for the All Whites.

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