The decision means HBU can go into next Sunday's away game against Auckland-based league expansion side club Eastern Suburbs at Bill McKinlay Park, Mt Wellington, without any issues over availability of players. The game is a launching-pad for the following week's home match against Team Wellington, who ended HBU's 2015-2016 campaign at the penultimate stage and went on to claim an underdogs' victory over Auckland City last March.
Mr McKenzie said it was a " little disappointing to have it blown up like this", but it was important for the club to show that it was not doing anything wrong.
"It's important to show everyone it's all above board and in line with the regulations," he said.
He said the regulations were clear. "You are either eligible or you're not," he said.
The rejection of the protest was confirmed late yesterday in a statement from NZ Football which said an investigation established HBU's start-list included the required eight New Zealand citizens and that all players that took part in the match were "registered in the correct manner and timeframe."
"NZ Football has reviewed all information available and is satisfied that Hawkes Bay United have complied with the relevant competition rules," Mr Farrow said.
