In the I think unlikely event that we were to win the appeal, isn't that going to make the FIFA ethics peeps even more likely to start investigating us. The powers that be aren't going to want us to get off what's being going on without some sort of punishment. Seems to me not impossible that if we won the appeal, FIFA could then step in and slap on a heftier punishment than if we lose appeal. And it's not going to make us look very remorseful when the one time we've been caught breaking the rules we're trying to get off punishment based on the rule we've been breaking consistently not applying for that particular qualifying tournament. In worst scenario, we win appeal, then FIFA step in, and ban us from all football and make sure the period we are banned for includes the Olympics.
If this means the end of incompetence era at NZF then I am almost tempted to perversely see it as a good outcome. Obviously I would not wish it upon us. There are lots of young players whose dreams would be shattered by a few incompetent fools.