The reasons behind Tupapa Marearenga’s withdrawl

The biggest news from this Sunday comes from OFC Champions League: Tupapa Maraerenga withdrew from the tournament. It was already reported in our website. However many things are not clear yet.

According to reliable sources, Tupapa took only 15 players to New Caledonia and three of them were not allowed to play because their blood tests could not confirm their immunization against measles so the team would have only twelve available players. On the other hand it is being reported that all Tupapa Maraerenga’s players have been vaccinated against measles so the blood test’s result caused some controversy.

The Cook Islands side faces some difficult to build up their squad for the tournament. Some players could not play due to study, work or familiar reasons. It is also reported that the team faces some difficulties to bring players from other local teams because most players refuse to represent them due to Village Pride – a local feeling that someone can not represent a team from another city or village.

There is no information about fines or suspensions. Anyway Tupapa could face a fine from Oceania Football Confederation due to their withdrawl.