FIFA cancels New Zealand-Fiji World Cup match over visa ban

New Zealand barred Fiji's number one goalie Simione Tamanisau because his father-in-law is in the military under terms of sanctions imposed on the Pacific island state following an army coup which ousted the elected government last December.

 "FIFA's decision to cancel the match is very disappointing, and is a complete u-turn by them,"  Foreign Minister Winston Peters said.

 He said Football New Zealand had been assured a couple of days ago that the game would be played in Auckland on Saturday as scheduled but Fiji had complained to FIFA.

 "No one has the right to a visa," Peters said. "Entry to another country is a privilege, and all countries retain the right to exclude individuals in accordance with their immigration policy.  Sporting bodies do not determine those policies.

 "New Zealand has processed this matter in accordance with existing immigration policy.  It is Fiji which has chosen to make this matter political."

   New Zealand imposed a range of sanctions on Fiji following the coup, including a ban on visits by all members of the military forces and their families.

 Peters said the sanctions included a ban on sporting contact with teams representing Fiji, but the government recognised New Zealand's obligations as host of a FIFA fixture and agreed that an exemption should be made for the World Cup qualifier.

 Oceania Football Confederation general secretary Tai Nicholas said FIFA considered the ban to be inconsistent with the worldwide practice of providing visas for visiting sides whose only objective was to play in World Cup qualifiers.

 "Football is truly a global game and to have a match involving political interference sets a bad precedent," he said.

 "Therefore, FIFA, as custodians of the sport, have taken this decision."

   Nicholas said the match could not take place in New Zealand unless the goalkeeper was allowed to play.

 New Zealand is expected to go to Fiji to play the next match in the Oceania qualifying schedule for the World Cup finals in South Africa in 2010 next Wednesday.//dpa