Soccer: Jilted Sth Africans snub Kiwis

By TERRY MADDAFORD

New Zealand have been left out in the cold by South Africa in their efforts to have the 2006 World Cup decision overturned.

While the South Africans have been "rattling the cage" at Fifa and elsewhere in their bid to have the cup decision revisited following the Charlie Dempsey debacle, they have not courted New Zealand Soccer or the New Zealand Government.

New Zealand Soccer chief executive Bill MacGowan said he had not heard from the South Africans and had been told there had been no contact with Minister of Sport Trevor Mallard either.

"Two South Africans were in Sydney for last weekend's Oceania Confederation meeting but they did not contact our delegate Mark Burgess," MacGowan said.

"This has been a big deal for South Africa.

"We are keen, however, to talk to them at next week's Fifa congress in Zurich with a view to building on the intense interest in sporting contests between the two countries.

"Our Olympic team were given first-class treatment when they were there and we are still keen to look at a tri-nations soccer competition involving them and Australia."

In anticipation of the matter being raised at Thursday's Fifa executive meeting, the start time has been brought forward.

It is understood some selected OFC delegates, but not New Zealand or OFC general-secretary Josephine King, had envelopes pushed under their hotel doors in Sydney inviting them to a meeting.

Meanwhile, the vote for the OFC presidency has been brought forward from October 1 to September 28.

While no reason has been given for the switch, it would allow the new president to represent the confederation at the Olympic football final in Sydney.

Nominations must be received by the OFC by August 16.

There also appears to be a feeling by some countries that the decision to vote Fiji's Dr Mohammed Sahu Khan on to the Fifa executive as the OFC representative for the next two years should be revisited because the vote was taken at Saturday's OFC executive meeting rather than a full congress.

Of more concern is the failure - for whatever reason - of some delegates to miss recent meetings at which crucial votes were taken.

The confederation's credibility is at stake.

All 11 Oceania nations owe it to their members to ensure their voice is heard and that decisions taken are fully representative.

One member missed last weekend's meeting and two were absent from the previous meeting when Dempsey's future went on the line.