NZ soccer scores top world award

By TERRY MADDAFORD

New Zealand's efforts off and on the soccer field have been recognised at the highest level.

In a surprise move, the sport's governing body, Fifa, yesterday announced the 1999 Fair Play Award had been won by New Zealand from the other 202 affiliated nations.

It is the biggest award New Zealand Soccer has received in its 108-year history, says chairman Kevin Stratful.

Dr Antonio Matarrese, chairman of Fifa's security and fair play committee, said the award was given to "the entire New Zealand football community for its efforts during 1999."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter said: "I would like to congratulate the whole New Zealand football community. Building football in some countries where it is not the national sport requires a joint effort.

"This has been a fine example of how a shared attitude of fair play can have a very positive effect at all levels of the game."

The elimination of New Zealand teams in group play at both the Confederation's Cup - where the All Whites performed creditably against the United States, Brazil and Germany - and in the recent under-17 world championships here cost them any chance of winning the [tournament] fair play awards.

But their on-field performances, backed by the superb organisation of the under-17 championships, won Fifa's respect and now this much sought-after award, which will be presented during the annual world player gala evening in Brussels on January 24.

Dr Matarrese, of Italy, said New Zealand was known as a sports-mad country but one in which soccer was not the No 1 sport. "But the way in which the people supported the under-17 finals was a great example to fans in other countries."