Fiji FA focuses on return to football

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Nadroga’s Tomasi Tuicakau and Lautoka’s Edward Aaron battles for possession during their match in the Digicel Premier League at Churchill Park in Lautoka. Picture: REINAL CHAND

The Fiji Football Association has envisioned a ‘back to football’ stance within a couple of months albeit pending approvals from the relevant authorities.

Chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf said it was heartening to note the major stakeholders associated with the sport of football barring spectators, would be 100 per cent fully vaccinated with both shots of the AstraZeneca COVID- 19 vaccine by the end of August.

“Fiji FA is pleased with the timely compliance towards vaccination by all registered footballers in both the genders, who are above the eligibility age of 18,” he said.

“We will have 100 per cent of the registered footballers, referees, assistant referees, respective team officials and coaches fully vaccinated by month end.

“It has allowed us to seek permission from the Government, Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport (MCTTT) including the Fiji National Sports Commission for their respective endorsements to reconvene football matches.

“We are currently finalizing the documents pertaining to the COVID-19 protocols and expect to lodge it by the end of this week.” The Cuvu, Sigatoka native said the proposed resumption of football matches would be without any spectators, for the time being.

“The matches will be held at selected venues around the country in order for us to have a firm control on all the protective measures in place because of COVID-19.

“We are planning to host matches without any spectators in a very safe manner. All matches will be played under closed stadiums because the intention is to ensure every individual partaking during any football match is fully vaccinated with both doses.

“We want to kick off even without spectators.

“However, it entirely depends on the Government’s decision and we will adhere to their directives.”

Yusuf said the focus to have the soccer ball rolling would be for the Digicel Premier League, Digicel Women’s Super League and Digicel Senior League for both the genders.

Fiji FA had been the only national sports organisation to vigorously pursue the ‘no jabs no play’ policy through it’s president Rajesh Patel’s public announcements from early May

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