Soccer: Oceania soccer body dithering over future of the game

Two months after Charlie Dempsey quit the Oceania Football Confederation presidency in the aftermath of the 2006 World Cup vote, the region's major soccer body continues to lurch from meeting to meeting without desperately needed leadership.

Last week's congress in Sydney - opened with words of hope from Fifa president Sepp Blatter - failed to elect a new president. It did not confirm Dr Mohammed Sahukhan as Dempsey's replacement as their representative on the Fifa executive.

It did not find time to consider important changes to the OFC statutes and dropped plans to discuss a much-needed business plan and allayed marketing contract.

While delegates - and there more than 20 in Sydney on the all-expenses-paid jaunt - are reluctant to discuss the behind-closed-doors meeting, it is apparent all is not well.

One report in an Australian newspaper hinted that the confederation was fortunate in having the meeting clash with the Olympics Games, thus avoiding any further unwanted publicity.

Vanuatu's Johnny Tinsley Lulu, who assumed the presidency when Dempsey stepped down, twice stormed out of the meeting, apparently upset at what he perceived as a "big brother" approach by some member nations, including Australia and New Zealand.

At one stage Australia was accused of playing the "race card" in the on again-off again election stakes.

Upset that Oceania Football Confederation veteran George Dick had taken over as chairman in his temporary absence, Tinsley Lulu returned and abruptly closed the meeting saying the presidential vote would be taken at a special congress in Vanuatu on November 25.

It seems that meeting - the agenda was set after hours of squabbling in Sydney - will also confirm Sahukhan's Fifa appointment or call for another vote.

They will also review the OFC statutes.

No mention was made of the business plan.

Dempsey played a key role in setting up the Oceania Football Confederation.

It has played, and must continue to play, a key role in soccer in this part of the world.

Delaying vital decisions like these and others involving the all-important tournament dates and venues will win no favours with the sport's governing body who have played a major role in ensuring their financial survival.