This was to clarify on the issues relating to the National Team selection and recent outburst by head coach Claudio Canosa in the media. #Mr. Sharma announced that Mr. Canosa has been temporarily suspended for breaching his contract. He says the Fiji FA board of control will meet soon to review the case before a final decision is made. #Below is a statement released by Mr. Sharma#You will note that the selection of the national team and the subsequent comments on the same by those who were closely involved in the selection process has become an issue of contention via media statements. Thus I decided in all fairness to the parties involved in this matter to call this media conference to clear the air for once and all on this issue.#In making the relevant clarifications, I wish to draw your attention to the following matters:#1.That the national team was selected on the recommendations of the National Coach Claudio Canosa and the technical director Saiyad Ali. They presented a list to the Board of control (BOC)of Fiji FA and the BOC upon their recommendations endorsed the list with just three changes. I have the recommended list by Mr. Canosa and Mr. Ali with their affixed signatures which the media can view and if possible publish the same for public information. Yet Mr Canosa made a U-turn soon after the announcement of the National Team and cried foul# #2.That the BOC of Fiji FA took a number of factors into account before endorsing the final list. We took into account the availability of talents and the substitutes for the same in case of injury and other unforeseen circumstances. The notion that a team performs well in a particular competition of integrity and should have a majority of its players selected for the National Team is unwarranted. The results of one particular competition of integrity cannot and should not be the basis or rather used as measuring tape or yard stick to select the National Team. There is absolutely no basis for such a notion. I intend to report that BOC in all sincerity did its best to select the best possible squad that we believe has the quality of players who will make us proud as we get ready for the six international matches and the Pacific Games. In this quest for preparation and participation, I and the Fiji FA take the comments and abuses hurled at me and Fiji FA as disruptive and destructive hindering our work and creating fraught relations with the football fraternity which is a breach of the Fiji FA constitution which encourages the establishment and maintenance of friendly relations.# #3.That at this juncture, I also wish to draw your attention to the contract that we have with Mr. Canosa. The letter of the contract spells out in a clear and certain term that in dealing with the selection of the national team and even the best eleven players for any match, the President of Fiji FA or his nominee has the final say. In this present circumstances, as Acting President, I wish to assert my authority to have the final say for the development of the desirable national team keeping the interest and aspirations of technical committee, Fiji FA and all the football loving fans into account.# #The statements by Mr. Canosa over the last few days are not only unhelpful , divisive, contradictory and childish but when applied in the context of the letter of contract just quoted can be attributed as a breach of his contract on his part in challenging the authority of the President of Fiji FA and his nominee.In expounding that matter a little further, Fiji FA takes the comments by Mr. Canosa in view the matters disclosed herein and in the media at large as an “Act of Insubordination” which cannot and should not be allowed to prevail should we desire to maintain and enhance the level of institutional discipline in Fiji FA and its administration and operations.It is common and good to have difference and resolve the same using the proper institutional channels other than using the media as a personal and political tool. Unfortunately, Mr. Canosa thought and acted the otherwise. Mr. Canosa has undermined the authority of Fiji FA, its BOC and its technical committee. He has acted in a manner that is unbecoming of a national coach seeking to create rifts in our ranks and an atmosphere that is not conducive for the preparation of the national team. As the national coach, he should have been the instrument and element of promoting goodwill, unity, mutual understanding and brotherhood but he acted on the contrary. His actions are simply childish and deplorable.We do not intend to see people coming from anywhere and imposing themselves on us dictating terms and when challenged make derogatory remarks about Fiji FA and get away. That will certainly be not the feature of getting things done under my leadership. I and the Fiji FA have always allowed all our personals the necessary latitude of freedom to work and develop football in Fiji but when personals become destructive and try to blame Fiji FA without reason, they will have to cross swords with me. There are no two ways about it.#Fiji FA has decided in view of the matters disclosed to you and via you to the people of Fiji to suspend Mr. Canosa as the national coach indefinitely. He will now lose all his privileges until on suspension. The BOC will review this decision as soon as possible. In the meantime, the technical director Saiyad Ali assisted by the talents available within Fiji FA and its member associations to train and prepare the national team.I urge you to report these matters to the people of Fiji who have the right to know the truth in its proper context.# #Thank You#Anil Sharma#Acting Fiji FA President and National Team director# Fiji FA MEDIA#
