By Andrew Warshaw
November 24 – The credibility of world football’s governing body was rocked by yet another twist to the ongoing corruption scandal today when it emerged that suspended Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) President Reynald Temarii is likely to waive his right of appeal in order to be replaced for the two secret ballots on December 2.
As reported earlier by insideworldfootball, the OFC has called a meeting of its executive committee in Auckland on Saturday (November 27) to try and ensure the region retains a say in where the 2018 and 2022 World Cups are played.
Now, in an exclusive interview, OFC general secretary Tai Nicholas says he is confident they will have a voting member in Zurich on December 2 despite FIFA’s official line that there is not enough time to replace Temarii and Amos Adamu of Nigeria and that only 22 Executive Committee members would be allowed to take part.
FIFA insists the pair can only be replaced by a full regional congress but Nicholas said: “This is not totally correct.
“There are some provisions we are looking at to appoint someone in Reynald’s place.
“There are a number of options that are open to us legally.
“We are exploring those up until the last moment.
“The objective is to allow the OFC to cast its vote.”
Ironically, the 10-day period during which Temarii and Adamu must launch any appeal expires on Saturday, exactly the day the OFC have set aside to decide the way forward.
Nicholas confirmed that Saturday’s meeting of all 11 member associations could pave the way for David Chung, currently acting OFC President until the next OFC Congress in January, to step in as the 23rd voting member next week by assuming the role on the FIFA Executive Committee until recently fulfilled by Temarii.
Nicholas said it was vital that every effort be made to allow Oceania to exercise its sole World Cup vote.
“Whoever we appoint would be up to our executive, but that would be the plan,” said Nicholas.
“We have one vote and it’s fundamentally important that we have the right to our one vote on one of the biggest decisions in football for years.”
Temarii, suspended for a year by the Ethics Committee, is suing the Sunday Times after being cleared of corruption and found to have breached “minor” clauses.
“Reynald has to take a decision on his next steps,” said Nicholas.
“It would be a big sacrifice 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.”
If a representative from Oceania is allowed to vote on December 2, it would be good news for Australia’s 2022 bid, which could almost certainly rely on the OFC’s support.
Which 2018 candidate would benefit is a far tougher call.
“I’m confident we will be able to get the authority to make an appointment,” said Nicholas.
“If we can pull it off, Reynald’s acknowledgment that he won’t appeal means the position would be vacant.
“Anyone who knows him, it’s the sort of decision he’d make without hesitation.”
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