The outcome was revealed during an emergency Fiji FA board meeting at the headquarters in Suva earlier today.#Dr. Sahu Khan says Lautoka was awarded the protest which they lodged against Rewa for fielding Nigerian based Onisemo Akanji Naurani who used a fake International Transfer Certificate (ITC) to get clearance to feature for Rewa. # #“Majority of the Board agreed that the protest of Lautoka be allowed against a Rewa player,” Dr. Sahu Khan said.#“When the protest was heard Rewa had presented an ITC from Nigeria and that’s how the player was registered with Fiji FA. In the meantime Lautoka FA got in touch with Nigeria and they brought a formal letter from Nigeria Federation stating they never gave an ITC and that the presented ITC from Nigeria was “FAKE”. #“Accordingly best I thought we get in touch with FIFA. Bob Kumar the Fiji FA CEO wrote a letter followed by various reminders to Nigerian federation to get the confirmation of them not signing the ITC. When we did not get a response from Nigeria then we took the issue up with FIFA.#“FIFA replied to Fiji FA and they brought to our attention that it is entirely on Fiji FA body dealing with protests to deal with the matter. In view of this the board met and discussed and on that note it was decided that Lautoka be awarded the protest.” Dr. Sahu Khan said. #“Ruling of Fiji FA Board of Control on the Lautoka-Rewa protest”#FIFA’s Views #1. The Director of Legal Affairs and the Head of Players Status and Governance of FIFA (both signing the letter) replied on 2nd day of March. #2. The FIFA Letter stated: “We may refer your association to Annexe 3a, art. 3 par.2 of the Regulation; on the Status and Transfer of players (hereinafter the regulations) according to which, an association that receives an unsolicited ITC from another association is not entitled to register the player concerned with one of its club. We understand from your correspondence that the Fiji Football Association never requested the ITC for the player in question.#Furthermore the FIFA Letter stated: “Furthermore, players registered at one association may be registered at a new association once the latter has received an ITC from the former association. (cf.art.9par 1 as well as Annexe 3a, art. 2 par 1. and Annexe 3a, art 3. Par 1, in fine , of the Regulations). We understand from your correspondence that the Fiji Football Association never received the ITC in question from the Nigerian Football Federation but the certificate was rather produced by the player.”#Fiji FA Ruling #Article 9 of the FIFA regulations on the Status and transfers of players clearly states: #Article 9 International Transfer Certificate #1. Player registered at one association may only be registered at a new association once the latter has received an International Transfer Certificate (hereinafter: ITC) from the former association. #Article 11- Unregistered players#Any player not registered at an association who appears for a club in any official match shall be considered to have played illegitimately. #Article 2 (2) dealing with ITC clearly states: “An association that receives an unsolicited ITC from another Association is not entitled to register the professional concerned for one of its clubs”.#Article 3 (2) of the regulation relating to ITC further states: “2. Upon receipt of the application , the new association shall immediately request the former association to issue an ITC for the player (ITC Request)#Conclusion #Accordingly since Fiji FA did not request for the ITC of the player in question from his previous National Association, it becomes an unsolicitored ITC. Consequently under FIFA regulations it is certainly invalid. Accordingly it is hereby ruled that Lautoka’s protest is allowed. # #Dr. Shams-UD-Dean Sahu Khan #Fiji FA President #The Fiji FA President also confirmed that Lautoka being the 2010 Fiji Sun/Weet-Bix National Football League winner will also represent Fiji in the 2011-2012 O-League. #
