According to FIFA, there are four criteria that qualify you for a country if you assume a new nationality; passport (which Wynne has) plus one of the following:
1. Born in NZ (no)
2. Parent born in NZ (no)
3. Grandparent born in NZ (no)
4. Lived continuously in NZ for 5 years after the age of 18 (he's20)
So, no immigrant can play international football until they are 23 under these rules?
The rule was put in place to prevent a country from recruiting and naturalising talented foreigners for the sole purpose of strengthening its national team. But the rule has also had the unintended consequence of impacting players from around the world whose acquisition of a new nationality had nothing to do with football. FIFA can and does grant exceptions to players who are able to show that their naturalisation didn't violate the spirit of the law.
What's Wynne's back story?
Wynne, 20, was born in Kapstadt, South Africa but moved to New Zealand as a child. He lives in Auckland and has played for the Wanderers SC Under-20 team in the national domestic league since 2013. He holds a New Zealand passport
How did this happen?
Vanuatu Football Federation had two hours to launch an appeal following their 2-0 semi-final loss, and when their complaints were upheld by OFC, the score line was reversed to a 3-0 win. Someone in the Vanuatu camps was very clued up on their Fifa regulations.
How could New Zealand Football miss this?
That's the million dollar question. NZF boss Andy Martin has 'strongly refuted' the ruling and "has been working with lawyers to challenge the process followed and decision made by Oceania Football Confederation."
Didn't Wynne play at the U 20 World Cup last month?
Yes. Wynne has played twice for the All Whites and played in all of New Zealand's games at the Fifa U20 World Cup in June. It is possible that he was also ineligible for those games, but no one investigated the matter.
Could other players be affected too?
Yes, Storm Roux and Sam Burfoot also both have no New Zealand bloodline and could possibly fall in the same category.
Who ended up winning the final?
Fiji beat Vanuatu 4-3 on penalties and, as it stands, will be heading to the Rio Olympics next year.
What now for the Oly Whites?
They are due to arrive back in New Zealand at 11.30pm tonight. The last statement Andy Martin made last night said: "While we firmly believe tonight's match should have been delayed, we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that any final decision is only reached after a proper and fair process has been carried out. We trust that Oceania Football Confederation will change its position and conduct that proper and fair process."
