Well I guess the question is, whether FIFA set a higher bar than what the NZ govt sets.
Which is the ultimate question yes. I think we'd have excellent grounds for appeal if it's overruled. My understanding is Durante spent more 240 days in NZ in 2011 (including that Sydney loan) so really there shouldn't be any issue with spell that some in the media are well overstating at present
I wouldn't automatically assume he met the citizenship rules. The minister can do what ever he likes and this is the type of case they may well have used their discretion. Was he absent for 126 days? Very likely three months is usually 93 days. How many away trips did he have with the Phoenix and how many days do they stay there? Throw in a holiday to Ausi in the off season and he is likely over