Home  »  2010 World Cup

Bungle ruins Moss' dream

28 September 2009 | 16:13 - SBS EXCLUSIVE: Philip Micallef

Disappointed ... Glenn Moss in action for Melbourne Victory (Getty Images)

A bureaucratic bungle has robbed Melbourne Victory’s New Zealand goalkeeper Glenn Moss of the chance to help his country reach the 2010 World Cup.


Moss, 26, was sent off in a World Cup qualifying dead rubber against Fiji in Lautoka last November for abusive language towards the referee and was given a maximum four-match suspension by FIFA.

The goalkeeper will miss New Zealand’s two playoff matches against Bahrain in October and November and should the Kiwis reach the finals in South Africa he would also be banned from the first two group matches.

Moss wanted to appeal against the harsh ban but New Zealand Football were late with the appeal and it was rejected by FIFA.

“The red card was my fault and a silly thing to do but I’m just very disappointed with the way New Zealand Football handled the whole thing,” Moss said.

“They received notification from FIFA that I was suspended for four games and did not even contact me for a start. I had to find out the outcome of my red card from the New Zealand Professional Footballers’ Association.

“New Zealand Football had enough time to lodge their appeal but they missed the FIFA deadline and when they sent it over it even lacked some basic elements.

“I then wanted to lodge my own appeal but unfortunately FIFA does not allow players to undertake such actions on their own. They have to come through their respective associations.

“FIFA were on my side but they obviously have to stick with the rules. They said they were surprised by New Zealand’s lack of action and they could feel for me but there was nothing they could do to help me.

“It was unbelievable. Now I’m missing the two most important games in New Zealand’s recent history and perhaps two matches in the World Cup proper.

“Imagine if something similar happening to Mark Schwarzer. And can you imagine the English or French FAs not lodging an appeal over, say, Beckham or Zidane in time!”

NZF chief executive Michael Glading said the unfortunate mistake took place due to “a combination of events”.

“We never received the original fax from FIFA and we eventually got it on December 23 just before we shut down for our Christmas holidays,” Glading said.

top