At a glance: Timeline of Deklan Wynne eligibility saga

Deklan Wynne (Photosport file)
Deklan Wynne (Photosport file)

New Zealand Football chief executive Andy Martin has given a timeline of how the Deklan Wynne eligibility saga unfolded in Papua New Guinea at the weekend.

Here is how Martin said it happened:

Friday night: New Zealand men's under-23s beat Vanuatu 2-0 in the semi-final of the Pacific Games, that is also doubling as an Olympic qualifier, in Papua New Guinea.

Shortly after the game, team manager Rob Pickstock is shown a piece of paper with a typed notice of protest as he was getting on to the bus. The protest claims New Zealand left back Deklan Wynne is an ineligible player.

Saturday morning, 8.26am: Pickstock receives a copy of the protest from the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC).

11.15am: Copy of full protest sent to Pickstock.

1.20pm: Pickstock receives copy of full protest due to internet issues within the hotel.

3.40pm: NZF respond, referring OFC to the rules that Pickstock had been provided that applied to the tournament.

Those rules stated that any protests about ineligible players had to be made before the tournament began.

5.39pm: OFC reply, saying FIFA Olympic rules take precedence.

8.25pm: NZF lawyers receive official protest and are given 35 minutes to respond before being referred to the FIFA disciplinary committee.

NZF lawyers ask for time extension to review protest and confirm NZF had "acted in good faith" and in "accordance with the rules provided by OFC who noted the eligible status of the player fell under article 6, not 7, of the FIFA statutes in their eyes."

Lawyers advised no action needed nor FIFA need be involved.

Sunday morning, 10am: OFC disciplinary committee meeting held to rule on protest without NZF. It is unknown who sat on committee.

Sunday morning, 11am: NZF find out about meeting.

12.34pm: NZF notified of meeting.

12.44pm: OFC release statement announcing New Zealand's disqualification from the tournament.

NZF ask for "time-out" to receive the full details of the protest and the process that was followed which have still not been revealed.

Sunday night: Fiji beat Vanuatu on penalties in Pacific Games final to qualify for first ever Olympics.

Early Monday morning: FIFA reply to NZF saying OFC are responsible for enforcing sanctions. FIFA say they have no jurisdiction to act.

That morning, NZF also receive letter from OFC confirming action taken by their disciplinary committee was proper and the decision was theirs to make.

3.01pm: NZF confirm they will lodge formal appeal with OFC over disqualification.

11.30pm: New Zealand squad return home. Wynne said he had no clue about any eligibility issues. Coach Anthony Hudson says he's proud of the way his team have handled the situation.

3 News