Oceania to demand FIFA let them have Executive Committee member for World Cup vote

By Andrew Warshaw

November 28 – The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has asked FIFA to allow it to send a replacement for next week’s World Cup vote following the suspension of its President, Reynald Temarii (pictured), in order to retain a say in deciding the venues for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

Oceania officials met to try and clear the way to send its acting President, David Chung, to Zurich as the 23rd voting member of FIFA’s ruling panel.

“An enquiry has been made to FIFA to seek further clarification on this and no further comment will be made until such time as FIFA has responded,” the OFC said in a statement.

FIFA declined comment, four days before polling, but has previously ruled that Temarii cannot be replaced after being suspended following an undercover newspaper sting which alleged vote-rigging in the bidding process.

FIFA’s Ethics Committee said 43-year-old Temarii was sanctioned for breaching three principles in its ethics code relating to loyalty and confidentiality by speaking with reporters posing as lobbyists looking to buy votes.

The OFC believes is should be allowed to name a successor provided Temarii waives his right to appeal .

Football protocol normally requires FIFA’s six confederations to hold a full congress of member nations to choose its delegates to the world governing body.

However, Oceania believes it can install Chung as a FIFA voting member since all 11 of its member countries were represented at the meeting in Auckland.

Oceania elevated Chung from vice-president’s role when Temarii was provisionally suspended on October 20.

“We have decided to ask for David Chung to be allowed to go to Zurich,” one of the OFC member federation presidents who attended the Auckland meeting told insideworldfootball.

“It is conditional on Reynald deciding not to appeal.

“David is senior vice-president and is already acting President and we are now waiting for FIFA’s response.

“It’s important for us to exercise our right to vote.”

Any replacement for Temarii would be virtually certain to back Australia for 2022, with all four 2018 contenders eager to secure a potentially crucial extra vote.

Before yesterday’s meeting, Oceania general secretary Tai Nicholas said it was imperative his confederation make every effort to be included on December 2.

“The objective is to allow the OFC to cast its vote,” he told insidewordfootball.

“It’s fundamentally important that we have the right to our one vote on one of the biggest decisions in football for years.

“It would be a big sacrifice for reynald in terms of the opportunity to clear himself for the sake of the OFC casting its vote, but he’s always put the confederation first.

“Anyone who knows him, it’s the sort of decision he’d make without hesitation.”

It remains unclear whether Fifa will sanction parachuting in Chung, a move which, if successful, would force all nine bidding nations to rework their strategies in order to plot a path to victory.

Ironically, a scenario of 23 voters would strip FIFA President Sepp Blatter of his casting vote in the event of a tie.

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734796486labto1734796486ofdlr1734796486owedi1734796486sni@w1734796486ahsra1734796486w.wer1734796486dna1734796486