8 May 2014

All Whites report won't be released

2:28 pm on 8 May 2014

New Zealand Football is refusing to release the report into the All Whites' failed World Cup qualifying campaign.

The long-awaited review has finally been completed by lawyer Stephen Cottrell, seven months after New Zealand's hopes of reaching this year's World Cup were dashed in their playoff against Mexico.

The report included contributions from players, team management, Sport New Zealand and board members.

New Zealand Football chief executive Andy Martin says the report was made confidential to allow the contributors to speak freely about their views.

He says the recommendations from the report will be included in the high performance plan which will be released to the public.

The report acknowledges the challenges involved in assembling the best players regularly to play quality opposition.

Martin says many of the report's recommendations are already being implemented and the vacant head coaching role was also advertised today.

Applications for the role close on May 30, the same day the All Whites play South Africa in Auckland.