Fiji Football Association has set its record straight regarding some of the social media commentators who have not only wrongly but mischievously posted incorrect facts on our internal judicial processes.
Fiji Football Association as a policy does not comment on social media postings, but now that the mainstream media is also requested a comment, we need to put the record straight.
Fiji Football Association has now 6 finance and judicial committees that are elected by the members at the Fiji Football Association congress every 4 years. The last election for these independent committees was held on the 7th of August, 2021.
Fiji FA also has various regulations in place approved by the council members to administer the registration and transfer of players. These regulations accord equal rights to players and members associations to protect and guide them during the mandatory transfer windows.
Antonio Tuivuna was a contracted player for Labasa FC, his contract was to expire in June 2021. In early January 2021, Antonio Tuivuna was suspended for offenses and misconduct during the Fiji Fact Finals in Labasa. Tuivuna had applied for a transfer to Lautoka FC which was rejected by the registration officer. This rejection was based on his ineligibility to apply because of his ongoing contract with the Black Virus Club. Antonio Tuivuna then disputed the validity of the document through his Lawyer.
This matter was referred to the Player Status Committee and a hearing was called on 14th February 2021. Both lawyers for Tuivuna and Labasa football made several presentations and arguments on the validity of the contract. The Player Status Committee ruled in Favour of the Labasa Football Association declaring the contract was valid and thus he was ineligible to apply in the January transfer window. The committee also ruled that the suspension by LABASA football needs to be resolved by exhausting the entire constitutional process. This was that Antonio Tuivuna should appeal to the Labasa Football Appeals committee. If he was not happy with the decision then he could appeal to the Fiji F.A. Appeals committee.
This process was pursued and the Labasa Appeals committee upheld the decision of the Labasa Football Disciplinary Committee. Antonio Tuivuna’s lawyer disputed the entire hearing process alleging that it was biased, and his client was not provided with a fair hearing. It was appealed to the Fiji F.A. Appeal Committee.
The Fiji F.A. Appeals Committee met on Thursday 7th October 2021 whereby the Lawyer for Labasa football asked for written grounds of appeal and by mutual consent, both Parties agreed that Tuivuna’s lawyer will file grounds of appeal and serve it directly to Labasa Football by Monday 11th October, 5 pm which was done. Labasa Football Solicitor was to file a response by Wednesday 13th October at 5 pm which was not done. The response was only sent via email to Fiji football one hour before the hearing on the 14th of October 2021.
However, the Counsel for Tuivuna agreed to continue with the case and after the lengthy session, the Appeals Committee members advised that the judgment will be delivered on notice. The decision was conveyed to both Counsels on Saturday 30th October 2021 where the appeals committee set aside the decision of Labasa FC.
During the July transfer window, Tuivuna had applied to join to Lautoka Football Association which was approved by the registration officer based on the regulations as provided for under the Transfer legislation. He was eligible to apply for a transfer as he was a free player upon the expiry of his contract.
Fiji F.A. President and the Board has full confidence in all its elected judicial and finance committee and has full confidence in the processes that were followed.
Fiji FA will refer the media comments and posts to their lawyers to consider appropriate legal action.
End of statement
