The Fiji Football Association has taken disciplinary action against eight districts for not adhering to the guidelines concerning regional club competitions. The districts affected include Premier division team Navua, along with Tavua, Rakiraki, Northland Tailevu, Seaqaqa, Dreketi, Bua, and Nadogo, all of which have had points deducted from the national league in light of the upcoming FMF Inter District Championship pool draws held in Suva yesterday.
Fiji FA CEO Mohammed Yusuf stated that all districts had received clear directives prior to the season and were given ample time to complete their local leagues. “Each district was given explicit notices, as they all agreed during the council meeting we held in February. The points deduction is not a new development, as all districts were aware of the penalties,” Yusuf explained.
Navua has lost eight points, while Tavua, Rakiraki, Northland, Seaqaqa, Dreketi, and Bua have had four points deducted each, with Nadogo losing two points. Before the commencement of the Digicel Fiji Premier League (DFPL) in February, the Fiji Football Association had clearly outlined that non-compliant districts would incur a penalty of two points deducted from their standings for each evaluation period.
There are a total of four evaluation periods during the season, a measure that was approved in the Fiji FA Council meeting in Lautoka in February. Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel previously emphasized the importance of local leagues, stating that each district must complete their league games to avoid point deductions in the DFPL. “Four opportunities have been provided for them to hold their leagues. If they fail to complete their club rounds in each window, they will lose two points from their DFPL total,” Patel had stated.
The Inter District Championship is scheduled to take place at Churchill Park in Lautoka from October 15 to 20.