South African-born Deklan Wynne has been ruled ineligible to play for New Zealand, knocking them out of Olympic contention after the Vanuatu Football Federation protested against his involvement in their 2-0 semifinal loss.

New Zealand Football is yet to hear back from Oceania Football after appealing their disqualification from the Olympic qualifying tournament.

Playing at the Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea, the Vanuatu Football Federation protested their 2-0 loss to New Zealand in the competition semifinals, saying New Zealand fielded an ineligible player in Deklan Wynne.

Oceania Football upheld the protest, sending the Oly Whites tumbling out of Olympic contention.

CHRIS SKELTON/FAIRFAX NZ Thrown out: All Whites Anthony Hudson is managing the New Zealand under-23 team in Papua New Guinea.

New Zealand Football chief executive Andy Martin said his organisation hadn't heard back from Oceania Football regarding their appeal on Sunday night.

"We strongly refute the ruling regarding the ineligibility of the player in question and we will be challenging this decision," Martin said in a statement.

Fiji took out the title with a 4-3 win on penalties over Vanuatu after scores were locked at 0-0 following extra-time to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.

Martin said given the circumstances the final should have been postponed.

"While we firmly believe [Sunday night's] match should have been delayed, we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that any final decision is only reached after a proper and fair process has been carried out," he said.

"We trust that Oceania Football Confederation will change its position and conduct that proper and fair process."

In a statement, Oceania Football said that "in accordance with Article 7 of the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes, a member of the New Zealand U-23 squad has been deemed ineligible to represent New Zealand."

Fifa rules state that a player born in another territory must live in his adopted nation for five years after reaching the age of 18 to be deemed eligible.

At 20 years old, Wynne - who was born in South Africa - isn't old enough to sit out the five-year eligibility stand-down, and it is understood that is the rule Vanuatu have questioned.

Ricki Herbert's Papua New Guinea side are believed to have since enquired about playing a re-match of their pool encounter with New Zealand, citing the same rule.

It's a harsh rule considering the player has lived in New Zealand for more than five years.

Wynne was part of the New Zealand side which defeated Vanuatu in the Olympic qualifying semifinal on Friday. Due to his ineligibility the result has been changed to a 3-0 win to Vanuatu.

The decision calls into question any previous appearances Wynne has made for New Zealand sides at all levels of the game.

Wynne made his senior All Whites debut in 2014, playing in a 1-1 draw with China in which he assisted on Chris Wood's equalising goal. The following week he earned his second cap against Thailand.

During New Zealand's run to the knockout stage of the Fifa U-20 World Cup Wynne was a key figure on the left flank.

Had Myanmar known the Fifa ruling on eligibility, it is understood they could have appealed their 5-1 loss to New Zealand in pool play and progressed through to the knockout stage at New Zealand's expense.

Given the ruling, there is also a chance Wynne will never wear a New Zealand jersey again.

Stuff.co.nz understands Wynne has at least one offer of a trial at an overseas club which he plans to take up after the Pacific Games.

Should he earn an overseas contract, Wynne would not spend the required five continuous years living in New Zealand after the age of 18, and would therefore not be considered a New Zealand player in the eyes of Fifa.

While Vanuatu won their protest, New Zealand did earn some vengeance in the Commonwealth Futsal Cup on Sunday afternoon, beating their Island neighbours 10-4.

Fiji took out the title with a 4-3 win on penalties over Vanuatu after scores were locked at 0-0 following extra-time to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.