The player was released by Phoenix  in November 2008 but Wellington are now facing having to pay around NZ$52,000 as compensation - from the date of termination to the date his contract was due to expire.

Phoenix had argued that the termination of Lei Lei's contract was for just cause, due to their concerns over the player's conduct and allegations that he had breached a number of provisions of the club's code of conduct, according to a statement released by Australian Professional Footballers' Association chief Brendan Schwab.

In a 25-page judgment, the NDRC found the Football Federation Australia Code of Conduct had primacy over the club's code of conduct.

Speaking to the PFA's official website Schwab said: "It is unfortunate that this case resulted in the player being denied the opportunity to complete his contract in the A-League.  Financial compensation is never enough when a player has the opportunity to exercise his trade taken from him for no good reason."

Wellington Phoenix have 60 days to comply with the NDRCs decision.