The Fiji Football Association has sanctioned eight districts for not adhering to the regulations concerning regional club competitions. The districts affected include Premier division team Navua, along with Tavua, Rakiraki, Northland Tailevu, Seaqaqa, Dreketi, Bua, and Nadogo, who have all had their national league points deducted in advance of the FMF Inter District Championship pool draws held in Suva.
Fiji FA CEO Mohammed Yusuf stated that all districts had received clear directives prior to the season and had ample time to complete their local leagues. “Every district was given clear notices, as they all agreed during the council meeting in February. We have deducted the points, but this is nothing new, as all districts were aware of the penalties,” Yusuf remarked.
Navua lost eight points, while Tavua, Rakiraki, Northland, Seaqaqa, Dreketi, and Bua each had four points deducted, and Nadogo lost two points.
The Fiji Football Association had indicated before the start of the Digicel Fiji Premier League (DFPL) in February that they would penalize non-compliant districts by deducting points from their standings following each evaluation period. There are four evaluation periods throughout the season.
This penalty measure was ratified during the Fiji FA Council meeting in Lautoka in February. “The local league is mandatory, and each district must complete it; otherwise, they risk losing points in the DFPL. Four windows are available for them to complete their matches, and if they fail to finish their club rounds during any window, they will lose two points from their DFPL tally,” stated President Rajesh Patel before the national league commenced.
Patel emphasized the importance of districts fulfilling their club game obligations. The IDC is scheduled to take place at Churchill Park in Lautoka from October 15 to October 20.