High performance head De Jong accepts responsibility for U-23 Olympic disqualification drama

Having played a part in some of the darkest days in New Zealand Football’s history, high performance director Fred de Jong has resigned.

The 21-cap All White cited the recent player eligibility saga as the major reason for his decision.

Errors made by New Zealand Football’s high performance department saw the men’s under23 team kicked out of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Papua New Guinea in July when they were just one match away from securing their place at the Rio Olympics.

A successful protest by Vanuatu Football into the eligibility of South African-born defender Deklan Wynne has thrown a spotlight on the eligibility of Kiwi footballers across all national teams, from under-17 level up to the senior All Whites side.

At least 16 players are understood to be facing eligibility questions.

De Jong’s department made the call that Wynne and others were eligible to represent New Zealand and he is leaving the organisation because of it.

‘‘It hasn’t been an easy time, obviously for myself and for the entire organisation,’’ de Jong said of the months following the Oly Whites’ exit from the Olympic qualifiers.

‘‘The issues around eligibility have come out of the high performance department.

‘‘I’m leading that department, so you’ve got to accept a bit of accountability for what’s happened. As the head of the department you’ve got to be accountable.’’

The eligibility saga revolves around two articles in the Fifa statutes regarding player eligibility.

New Zealand Football and de Jong’s high performance department believed Wynne was eligible to represent New Zealand under article 6 of Fifa statutes. Under article 6, a player with the ability to play for more than one national team must live in their chosen nation for two years to play for that team.

It is understood Wynne’s eligibility actually falls under article 7, which relates to players who acquire a new nationality. Under article 7, Wynne would have to live in New Zealand continuously for five years after the age of 18 to represent New Zealand.

New Zealand Football has appealed the expulsion from the Olympic qualifiers, but de Jong admits frustration at how things have unfolded.

‘‘I think frustration would probably be an accurate term,’’ de Jong said.

‘‘The rules are there and the rights and wrongs of that will come out in the appeal process. New Zealand Football has conducted an internal review and that will come out in due course as well, but again, it has all come out of high performance.’’

All Whites great Wynton Rufer said it was a sad day for New Zealand Football and for de Jong in particular.

‘‘It’s just tragic that it’s had to come to this.’’

Rufer said many people were passionate about football in New Zealand, trying to put a positive influence on the game. De Jong was one of those people.

Rufer said football worldwide was experiencing difficult times, but he expected the game to continue growing.

‘‘All the dramas of late with Sepp Blatter and the CEO resigning but the Premier League, the Bundesliga, La Liga and the Champions League – it’s all happening.

‘‘With all the worldwide fans, everyone’s just enjoying it and it’s still happening despite the political dramas.’’

De Jong will remain with New Zealand Football until the end of the year. An announcement on his replacement will be made in due course.