Nomination lawful, says OFC

By PATRICIA KEAMO
THE Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) says the sport’s national governing body is within its powers to nominate Hekari United and Lae City for a Champions League national playoff.
Hekari (Southern) and City (Northern) were leading their respective National Soccer League conference when the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) cancelled the rest of the season over the pandemic.
The association passed a resolution that Hekari would face City next year for a spot in the 2022 Champions League.
“The Papua New Guinea Football Association’s call (to nominate Hekari and City) does not go against any regulations,” the confederation told The National in an email yesterday.
This came after comments were raised over the nomination of Hekari and City for the national playoff.
“PNG is not alone in this situation (to nominate clubs for a national playoff),” the confederation said.
“Several OFC member associations have had to change or cut short their domestic seasons due to the pandemic.
“The team submissions to the OFC (for the Champions League) aren’t required yet.
“But this is PNGFA’s call and it does not go against any regulations.”
Association general secretary Pius Letenge told this paper last week that a national playoff would be staged next year to determine a representative for the country.
“Usually, two teams (from each country) are selected to compete in the Champions League,” Letenge said.
“But due to the pandemic, the confederation has changed the format.
“Given that Hekari and Lae City are the top teams (each with 22 points) in their conferences, we will arrange for a match for them next year and the winner will prepare for the Champions League.”
City or Hekari will compete next August against the representatives of seven other countries in the region for Oceania’s only spot in the next Fifa Club World Cup.