2 Dec 2010

Oceania will have no part in world cup voting

6:31 am on 2 December 2010

Oceania will have no part in choosing the hosts for the 2018 and 2022 Football world cups.

The Oceania confederation has lost its voting rights following suspended president Reynald Temarii's decision to appeal his one-year ban for breaking FIFA ethics rules.

FIFA has said Temarii could be replaced in Friday's World Cup votes only if he gave up office by renouncing an appeal.

Temarii was secretly filmed by British newspaper the Sunday Times, appearing to offer his World Cup vote in exchange for funding for a football academy in New Zealand.

FIFA cleared Temarii of corruption charges last month, but banned him from football duty for one year for breaches of loyalty and confidentiality.

The appeal is a major setback for Australia's bid to host the 2022 tournament as Australia was guaranteed Oceania's vote and there had been optimism that acting Oceania president David Chung would be allowed to replace Temarii in the voting procedure.