Football: NZ Football won't appeal Wynne decision

Deklan Wynne in action during the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. Photo / Dean Purcell

New Zealand Football will not appeal the decision of the Oceania Football Confederation around the eligibility of Deklan Wynne.

New Zealand was disqualified from the Oceania Nations Cup final due to Wynne being ruled ineligible - meaning a New Zealand under-23 side would not be attending the Rio Olympics.

President Deryck Shaw said the Executive Committee weighed up a number of factors, including the frustration of the wider football community, before making the decision not to appeal.

"Despite legal advice recommending an appeal on a number of grounds on the specific case of the disqualification, we have taken the view not to proceed," Shaw said.

"One of the key reasons the decision has been made is to mitigate any risk such an action might have on other players who have represented New Zealand under the same interpretation since the rule change in 2008 and any further action from the OFC."

However, NZ Football still maintains its position that the action against Wynne and the disqualification of the team from the Pacific Games was unfair.

Shaw said NZ Football would now seek the support of the OFC and FIFA to change the rules around eligibility.

"We want to secure the opportunity for young people who have moved to New Zealand with their families as children and young adults for non-football reasons to play the game they love in New Zealand and represent their adopted country - something the statutes never intended to prevent."