Football: NZF future hinges on eligibility appeal

New Zealand Football CEO Andy Martin. Photo / Greg Bowker.

The outcome of New Zealand Football's eligibility appeal next week could have repercussions that spread much wider than the Oly Whites' Rio campaign.

New Zealand Football has been asked by the Oceania Football Confederation to prove the eligibility of four players born outside of New Zealand who helped the New Zealand under-17 team win their World Cup qualifying tournament in American Samoa this year.

But NZF have asked OFC to wait and deal with the fresh enquiry after the Olympic appeal, which takes place early next week.

"NZF have not turned down a request from OFC to provide information," a NZF spokesman said. "NZF have sought clarification from OFC as to the background of the request and have advised that this matter should await the outcome of the current appeal before being considered further. NZF are corresponding further with OFC on this matter."

The whole saga rests on the result of the Deklan Wynne eligibility appeal. If New Zealand Football can overturn the original decision on grounds of eligibility - then it's possible that overseas-born players all across New Zealand Football's spectrum will also be safe. But if OFC's decision stands, there could be dark clouds lurking for New Zealand Football.

Last month the Herald reported it had uncovered 16 players who appeared to fall short of the traditional interpretation of Fifa's eligibility rules and an investigation into the under-17s could potentially just be the tip of the ice-berg.

The Herald understands that NZF has recently requested a number of exemptions from Fifa for players across a range of age groups.

"Pending the outcome of the appeal we are taking a conservative view, and are in discussions with FIFA," a NZF spokesman said.

Five weeks ago Oceania Football Confederation started investigating a complaint from one of its member associations that New Zealand used ineligible players to win their under-17 World Cup qualifying tournament.

"Following the complaint we received we have asked New Zealand Football to verify the eligibility of certain players in their under-17 and under-23 teams that participated in recent OFC events," said OFC general secretary Tai Nicholas.

"New Zealand Football has asked that we deal with the inquiry after the outcome of the appeal.

"OFC is now taking advice from the chairman of the committee who is leading that preliminary investigation."

If New Zealand lose the Deklan Wynne appeal they will have one last option in their fight to rescue the Olympic campaign - the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.

But if New Zealand lose next week, the drums will beat louder for OFC to investigate further eligibility breaches and impose punishments on any wrong-doing.

The New Zealand under-17 team will play at the World Cup in Chile in October.