Soccer: Canterbury striker awaiting clearance

Canterbury coach Keith Braithwaite has dropped Frederico Marquez until a proper clearance has been received from Uruguay. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Frederico Marquez, the Uruguayan striker who powered Ngaruwahia United to promotion in the northern league first division over winter with with 24 goals (league and cup), did so without an international clearance, according to his new gaffer, Canterbury United's Keith Braithwaite.

Marquez signed for Canterbury in the ASB Premiership - the Dragons face WaiBop United in their first match tomorrow in Rotorua - but Braithwaite said he has dropped Marquez from his squad until a proper clearance has been received from Uruguay.

Marquez was named as Ngaruawahia's MVP at the club's 2013 prizegiving, but Braithwaite said after checking with New Zealand Football, it became apparent he had never been properly cleared since arriving in New Zealand.

"With any overseas player who comes in, we always thoroughly check their background to establish whether they are a guest player of a local player, and in Marquez's case it became obvious he had previously played in Uruguay and never had a clearance," Braithwaite said.

"He was told 'everything is okay - just play'. But at Canterbury we do everything properly."

Canterbury already have Braithwaite said the time difference with Uruguay made it difficult to get the paperwork done in time for the Rotorua match.

The revelation also calls into question whether Ngaruawahia should now forfeit their winter league promotion, particularly given Marquez was such a fundamental factor in Ngaruawahia's success in finishing runners-up to Glenfield Rovers in northern league division one.
The revelation also calls into question whether Ngaruawahia should now forfeit their winter league promotion, particularly given Marquez was such a fundamental factor in Ngaruawahia's success in finishing runners-up to Glenfield Rovers in northern league division one.