NZ v Fiji called off by FIFA

 

Bloody Govt

 

Where would a suitable neutral venue be?  You wouldn't want to be rescheduled to somewhere too hot.  Ultimately somewhere like Melbourne would be best however it is outside the federation so may be an issue.

 

Exactly. If they don't get re-released then we're in the same predicament as the Fijians are now i.e. missing our best players. Just issue the bloody visa and get on with it.

 

Personally I would have like the top four Oceania sides to enter the first round of the Asian Qualifications.  It would give the Oceania sides more exposure to international football and perhaps build up their confidence after a win or two.  For NZ it would be a far better qualification process where the team would be forged over the qualification period rather than just rushed in for a big game at the end.  It would also mean more meaningful games for points in NZ which would boost the image of the game domestically.  Certainly Australia has significantly benefitted from joining the Asian Federation.

 

The downside would be the cost to small nations such as Vanuatu.  It is not cheap flying to Turkmenistan and such.  Not that flying about the Pacific is a particularly cheap option in itself....

 

I'm pretty sure there is a waver on the sevens team. I remember hearing something a while back a seeing its RUGBY they get special allowances.

If I was in Wellington now, I'd be storming parliament.  C'mon you w**kers, get your arses there and let them know how much you're spewing.  And Darcy, football is a contact sport you cock.  We just don't touch each other.  Cock.

Peters slams "unjust" football postponement

Foreign Minister Winston Peters says FIFA has made an unjust decision in postponing the Football World Cup qualifier between the All Whites and Fiji in Auckland.

Tomorrow's match will not go ahead following a complaint from Fijian football authorities, after their goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau was denied a visa, as his father in law is in the Fijian military. New Zealand banned entrance to all members of Fiji's military and their families following last December's coup.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters says he is deeply disappointed the match will not go ahead.

"FIFA's decision to cancel the match is very disappointing, and is a complete U-turn by them. Football New Zealand was assured just a couple of days ago that the game would be played as scheduled."

Mr Peters says no one has the right to a visa. He says entry to another country is a privilege, and all countries retain the right to exclude individuals in accordance with their immigration policy. Mr Peters says sporting bodies do not determine those policies.

"I offered to explain New Zealand's policy on Fiji directly to FIFA president Sepp Blatter. However my office was told that Blatter was unavailable."

Mr Peters says the Government is looking at what assistance it can offer New Zealand Football, which will be adversely affected by FIFA's "unjust" decision.

Yeah.. this would be the only time I get to see professional football in NZ without an 8 hour drive, or $250+ in flights.

 

Probably not.  A-league squads have been named for the round.  That's the end of it I think.  But it's a f**king disaster for NZ football.  Ropable.  Darcy just insulted me across the nation.  Can life get any worse?

 

 

I think I'm right in saying that Trevor Mallard's father died this week so he may have more important things on his mind than a football match.  Sorry folks, Bill Shankly was wrong, there are more important things than a game.