FIFA to punish PNG for missing play-off

Papua New Guinea women's team face being fined and suspended from FIFA competitions after failing to show for an Olympic qualifier versus New Zealand.

FIFA has opened a disciplinary case against the Papua New Guinea soccer federation whose women's team failed to travel to New Zealand for an Olympic qualifying play-off scheduled on Tuesday.

The incident is embarrassing for FIFA vice president David Chung, who leads the Papua New Guinea soccer federation and the Oceania confederation.

Papua New Guinea lost 7-1 in the first leg at home on Saturday.

New Zealand media reported that visa issues were blamed for the visiting team not travelling for the return match in Auckland.

FIFA did not give a reason on Monday when confirming in a statement that the play-off second leg was cancelled.

New Zealand now advance to represent Oceania at the 12-team Rio de Janeiro Olympics tournament in August.

Papua New Guinea face being fined and suspended from future FIFA competitions.

The Pacific Ocean nation is also due to host the Women's Under-20 World Cup for FIFA from November 13 to December 3.

They qualify automatically for the tournament as the home team.


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Source: AAP


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