The Cagous are out: current Pacific Games gold medallists withdraw from OFC Nations Cup participation

The anticipated OFC Nations Cup will not count on the participation of the 2012 edition runners-up New Caledonia after the local federation announced in a media statement the Cagous will not be travelling to Vanuatu to take part in the regional competition.

The current Pacific Games gold medallists are posed with definitive real difficulties and opted not to leave Nouméa; “[…] the Federal Council decided on the NON-PARTICIPATION of the New Caledonian team in the next OFC Nations Cup – an Oceania competition due to take place in Vanuatu from 15 to 30 June – due to the current context“, said FCF in the press release – “[…] The Federal Council of the Caledonian Football Federation has therefore decided, in view of the current context, that the senior team of the Caledonian team will not take part in the next OFC Nations Cup. This decision has been communicated to the OFC so that it can be taken into account by the Oceania Confederation. Of course, this was a difficult decision for our elected representatives to take. After an in-depth assessment of the current situation in New Caledonia, it became clear that the exceptional and unstable circumstances in our country made it impossible for our team to take part in this international event“, it added.

The so-called “circumstances” are of common knowledge of the local citizens of the South Pacific: New Caledonia has been in a state of civil unrest for weeks after protests against moves to change the country’s electoral laws which pro-independent indigenos groups fear will weaken their political influence.

“The FCF has asked the OFC, in view of the current situation, in the event of the non-participation of the New Caledonian Team A due to Force Majeure, to exceptionally exempt it from any administrative and/or sporting penalties, in application of article 6.8 of the OFC 2024 Men’s Nations Cup Regulations, which stipulates that “The OFC shall take all measures it deems necessary in the event of Force Majeure“, stated the local federation in order to prevent possible punishments from OFC.

As New Caledonia won’t be taking part of the tournament, OFC already released a statement with a new schedule informing the Group A, being held in Vanuatu, will consist of only three teams: Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Zealand. The two-top teams will forward to the semi-finals as previously organised.