So tomorrow they file papers in the courts under employment law. Then their is no block to further action.
"It's worth noting that under the regulations any decision by the Appeal Committee would be final - there is no scope under the FFA Statutes for a matter of this type to be sent to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and the regulations explicitly prevent any court appeal."
I would be highly surprised if this was the direction the case is headed. First if the Nix win the Mariners can appeal, whereas if they win under FFA regs the Mariners cannot appeal. Second acting outside FFA Reg's and using NZ employment law is a huge step not saying it won't or can't happen simply saying it is huge step nay mega to the power of mega step...
Simple example the AFL draft is outside Trade Practice Law's in Australia, if one player or club took it to court it accepted by the AFL that the club or player would win ... no one does as they have all agreed to work within the AFL rules and guidelines...