28 Sep 2015

NZF Eligibility saga claims first scalp

6:57 pm on 28 September 2015

New Zealand Football's High Performance Director Fred de Jong has resigned from his role.

New Zealand Football High Performance Director Fred de Jong has resigned. 29.9.15

New Zealand Football High Performance Director Fred de Jong has resigned. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

High Performance Director, Fred de Jong, has resigned after the under-23 men's side was disqualified from an Olympic Qualifying tournament in Papua New Guinea in July.

The Oceania Football Confederation disqualified the Oly-Whites from the tournament after it deemed South African-born defender, Deklan Wynne, was ineligible to play but took part in the side's win over Vanuatu in the semi-finals.

de Jong, who's been the high performance director at NZF for three years, said he wasn't pushed by New Zealand Football and that he has to take responsibility for the administrative blunder.

New Zealand Football chief executive Andy Martin said de Jong had been a major contribution to the advancement of football in New Zealand.

He will leave his role at the end of the year.

A replacement for the position will be announced in the near future.