FIJI football will play under protest when they take on the New Zealand All Whites in the World Cup qualification match at the North Harbour Stadium on Saturday.
This is after Fiji's first choice goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau was not granted a visa by the New Zealand government.
Tamanisau, whose father-in-law is in the military has been barred from entering NZ because of the sanctions imposed by NZ on members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) and their families following a coup last December.
The rest of the players and officials were granted visas.
Fiji Football Association president Dr Shams-ud Dean Sahu Khan yesterday said they will raise the matter with the Court of Arbitration of Sports in Switzerland.
"We'll be playing under the protest and will be taking the matter up with the Court of Arbitration because we regard this as a political interference," he said. "In addition to our appeal, I'll also be writing to FIFA and Oceania telling them that we'll be playing the game under protest," he said.
Dr Sahu Khan expressed outrage that the Fiji side has had to delay its trip to NZ and said the matter will also be raised with FIFA.
"Fiji has been put a very serious disadvantage with our key GK unavailable to go and it's very ironic and just another way to weaken us," he said.
"We're going to ask that al FIFA-sanctioned matches are not played in New Zealand from next year since New Zealand want to dictate who should be in our team," Dr Sahu Khan said.
Labasa goalkeeper Shamal Kumar is ready to fill in Tamanisau's shoes.
"I've always been a reserve keeper in the national team as Simi is our number one goalkeeper but I'm so honoured to be given this opportunity and I'll give all my best out there," he said.
"Winning is our sole aim and going to New Zealand without Simi is a huge setback but I'm ready to rise up to the challenge," the 26-year-old Bulileka lad said.
Fiji coach Carlos Buzzetti said Kumar is his first choice reserve goalie ahead of Lautoka's Ben Amino.
"Without doubt, Shamal is experienced to take up the position in Tamanisau's absence," Buzzetti said.
"He's been doing a great job for Labasa and his experience and agility makes him capable to hold the fort but I'm upset Simi wasn't granted a visa to travel with us," he said. "This is unjustified but we haven't lost hope and will see what happens come Saturday."
Speaking to Time Sports from the Ba Football Academy yesterday a frustrated Tamanisau branded the move by the NZ government as childish.
"It's really hurtful as I've been playing club soccer there (NZ) for two years and it seems funny because he is only my father-in-law," he said.
"The frustrating thing about it is they have included soccer in their politics and innocent people are affected and I find this really immature," he said.
The Naisomua villager from Tailevu played soccer for Mangere United Club in Auckland from 2003 to 2004.
