The Fiji Football Association has imposed penalties on eight districts for not adhering to regulations regarding regional club matches. Premier division team Navua, along with Tavua, Rakiraki, Northland Tailevu, Seaqaqa, Dreketi, Bua, and Nadogo, had their national league points deducted ahead of the FMF Inter District Championship pool draws that took place in Suva yesterday.
Fiji FA CEO Mohammed Yusuf stressed that each district was given explicit instructions prior to the season and had ample time to conclude their local leagues. “Every district had been given clear notices, as they all agreed to this in the council meeting we held in February. We have deducted the points, but this is nothing new since all our districts were aware of this penalty,” stated Yusuf.
Navua incurred a loss of 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 made it clear to the participating teams before the start of the Digicel Fiji Premier League (DFPL) in February that penalties would be imposed on non-compliant districts by deducting two points from their standings following each evaluation period.
There were a total of four evaluation periods during the season. This decision was approved during the Fiji FA Council meeting in Lautoka in February. “The local league is compulsory, and each district must complete it; otherwise, they will lose points in the DFPL. Four windows are provided for them to conduct their club rounds, and if they fail to complete them in any window, they will incur a two-point deduction from their DFPL tally,” said president Rajesh Patel prior to the national league’s commencement.
Patel emphasized the importance of districts completing their club games. Meanwhile, the IDC is scheduled to take place at Churchill Park in Lautoka from October 15-20.