Temarii is currently suspended for one year pending an appeal after he was accused of corruption by the Sunday Times in the UK.

While he remains suspended he is ineligible to vote in this week's crucial ballot of FIFA Executive Committee members to decide who hosts the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

But the OFC had hoped Temarii could be persuaded to drop his appeal and allow the OFC back onto the ExCo to vote, and almost certainly back Australia's 2022 bid as a result.

Today though Temarii insisted he would not drop his appeal or quit - denying the OFC any chance to vote at all this week.

He said today: "On November 18, 2010, the FIFA Ethics Committee cleared me of all corruption charges but decided my suspension for one year beginning on October 20, 2010, for charges whose nature and grounds I still do not know.

"Since then, I am waiting for a reasoned decision in order to exercise my right to appeal.

"Despite pressures and issues at stake for the OFC, I decided not to waive this fundamental right to restore my honour, dignity and integrity following the calumnious accusations I suffered from the Sunday Times."

The OFC today accepted Temarii's decision - allegedly made after a flying visit to meet Qatari AFC chief Mohammed Bin Hammam in Malaysia - but regretted missing out on taking part in this week's crucial vote.

The OFC's acting head David Chung was expected to take Temarii's place on the executive committee but will not now be allowed to vote, leaving 22 members to make the decision.

A statement tonight said: "OFC can confirm that it has received a communique from Reynald Temarii's legal team stating that Mr Temarii will exercise his right of appeal in relation to the recent ruling by the FIFA Ethics Committee.

"OFC respects this decision as it is a fundamental human right to appeal after such a case.

"FIFA has outlined that Oceania's sole spot on the FIFA Executive Committee is not considered vacant as long as the appeal process is still open.

"Therefore, Acting OFC President David Chung will not be able to replace Mr Temarii on the FIFA Executive until such time as the appeal process has concluded."

Chung added: "OFC will not have a voice at the voting table in Zurich on the 2nd of December but fully respects the decision made by Reynald Temarii and his legal team under difficult circumstances."