FIFA fines, warns Papua New Guinea over Olympic no-show

Posted March 11, 2016 6:00 am

The Associated Press

ZURICH (AP) - FIFA has fined and warned the Papua New Guinea soccer federation for failing to play the second leg of a women's Olympic qualifying playoff.

FIFA's disciplinary panel imposed a 10,000 Swiss francs ($10,100) fine, but no suspension from future competitions.

Papua New Guinea failed to travel to New Zealand for the return match in January after losing the home leg 7-1.

The PNG federation blamed visa issues for the withdrawal.

New Zealand advanced and will represent Oceania at the 12-team Rio de Janeiro Olympics women's tournament in August.

The Papua New Guinea federation's president, David Chung, is also a FIFA vice president as the elected head of the Oceania confederation.

The country will host the Women's Under-20 World Cup for FIFA from Nov. 13-Dec. 3.