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Last Updated: Apr 9, 2007 - 12:46:40 AM |
AN administrative blunder by the Fiji Football Association may have cost Lautoka three points against Nasinu after it was revealed that Lautoka's Australia-based players were eligible to play in the inter district championship.
On Thursday the Fiji FA stopped Lautoka from fielding two of its star Australian recruits after Nasinu object by stating that they did not have the International Transfer Certificate, which is a requirement by FIFA. Lautoka lost the encounter 2-1.
However, yesterday the Fiji FA rejected Nasinu's claims after receiving confirmation from Football Federation of Australia.
In a letter to Nasinu president Praveen Chand, Fiji FA chief executive Bob Kumar said they had contacted Rita Richardson the ITC officer of FFA who confirmed that professional players were on loan to the districts in Fiji for the IDC.
"Accordingly the requirement of the ITC does not arise in case of loan professional players," Kumar stated.
"We cannot disallow these players subject to your letter to play for the districts."
Lautoka Football Association president Iqbal Khan said the initial decision by Fiji FA was shocking and unfair.
He said the damage was done by the Fiji FA.
Khan said the hosts have requested the parent body to stage a rematch.
"It was only on the basis of the directions given by the Fiji FA that we did not filed our two Australian boys," Khan said.
"This was also done five minutes prior to the start of the match. Because of the non inclusion of these players our team was demoralised.
"We have suggested the match to be replayed tomorrow.
"The association has spent a lot of money in getting these players and we have the support of our fans."
Last night Fiji FA CEO Kumar said he was unaware of Lautoka's request.
He also defended the referee's control in the match between Navua and Ba.
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AN administrative blunder by the Fiji Football Association may have cost Lautoka three points against Nasinu after it was revealed that Lautoka's Australia-based players were eligible to play in the inter district championship.
On Thursday the Fiji FA stopped Lautoka from fielding two of its star Australian recruits after Nasinu object by stating that they did not have the International Transfer Certificate, which is a requirement by FIFA. Lautoka lost the encounter 2-1.
However, yesterday the Fiji FA rejected Nasinu's claims after receiving confirmation from Football Federation of Australia.
In a letter to Nasinu president Praveen Chand, Fiji FA chief executive Bob Kumar said they had contacted Rita Richardson the ITC officer of FFA who confirmed that professional players were on loan to the districts in Fiji for the IDC.
"Accordingly the requirement of the ITC does not arise in case of loan professional players," Kumar stated.
"We cannot disallow these players subject to your letter to play for the districts."
Lautoka Football Association president Iqbal Khan said the initial decision by Fiji FA was shocking and unfair.
He said the damage was done by the Fiji FA.
Khan said the hosts have requested the parent body to stage a rematch.
"It was only on the basis of the directions given by the Fiji FA that we did not filed our two Australian boys," Khan said.
"This was also done five minutes prior to the start of the match. Because of the non inclusion of these players our team was demoralised.
"We have suggested the match to be replayed tomorrow.
"The association has spent a lot of money in getting these players and we have the support of our fans."
Last night Fiji FA CEO Kumar said he was unaware of Lautoka's request.
He also defended the referee's control in the match between Navua and Ba.
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