The most powerful coach at New Zealand Football has been stood down following a player revolt over his methods.

NZF on Wednesday announced an independent investigation into Andreas Heraf, who doubles as the national women's coach and the country's technical director, overseeing the progress of all national teams.

Experienced Austrian coach Heraf has been placed on "special leave" from his roles until the completion of a review into the environment at the Football Ferns.

Thirteen members the squad...

Team Wellington will compete at the FIFA Club World Cup after dispatching Lautoka in the two-leg OFC Champions League final.

The Kiwi outfit won the second leg 4-3 in Fiji on Sunday, a week after all-but deciding the two-leg tie with a 6-0 victory in Wellington.

Croatian midfielder Mario Ilich scored twice in the first half at Churchill Park in Lautoka for Team Wellington to ensure there would be no surprises.

The game opened up after the break, with Lautoka adding some respectability to the scoreboard.

Team...

Leading women's players have hailed a deal with New Zealand Football which adds travel benefits to previous moves toward equality with their male counterparts.

NZF announced on Tuesday a three-year collective agreement with professional players which gives women pay parity, an equal share of prize money and equal payment for image rights for those selected in national teams.

Those elements had previously been in place but the new deal also provides for business class travel on long haul flights...

Switzerland-born Fritz Schmid has been appointed head coach of the New Zealand team on a four-year contract.

Schmid, whose previous role was as technical director of the Malaysian Football Association, is a former assistant coach of the Austria national team.

He was also an assistant at FC Basel between 2002 and 2009 when they won the Swiss Cup four times and twice qualified for the Champions League.

New Zealand Football technical director Andreas Heraf said Friday that Schmid "has a proven track...