The Chief Executive of the Fiji Football Association, Mohammed Yusuf, has announced that 21 out of 180 players who were subjected to drug testing during the 2024 FMF Inter District Championship (IDC) at Churchill Park in Lautoka tested positive for banned substances. This represents a notable increase from the seven cases reported last year.
Players who have tested positive have been immediately suspended and will be brought before the Fiji FA Disciplinary Committee. First-time offenders face a three-month suspension and a fine of $200, which is to be covered by both the player and their district. Those caught a second time will incur a three-year suspension and a fine of $500, while repeat offenders will also receive a three-year suspension along with the same fine, payable by both parties.
The disciplinary committee will evaluate whether to modify these penalties based on the findings.