The Fiji Football Association will confirm today the eight teams that will take part in next month’s FMF Inter-District Championship (IDC) in Ba.
Following the completion of the Extra Premier League (EPL) competition yesterday, the top eight teams are deemed to have qualified for the Premier Division of the IDC. However, Fiji FA CEO Mohammed Yusuf says some teams may have points deducted.
According to Yusuf, teams that did not comply with the completion of the regional club competitions will be penalised.
“Points table will change,” said Yusuf yesterday.
“We (Fiji FA) will confirm the qualifiers tomorrow (today).”
After the completion of the EPL, hosts Ba, Rewa, Labasa, Lautoka, Navua, Suva, Nadroga, and Nasinu made the top eight, while Nadi and Tavua missed out.
In February this year, Fiji FA had issued a stern warning to member associations regarding the regional club leagues, emphasising that non-compliance would prevent districts from qualifying for the IDC.
During the Fiji FA Council meeting on Sunday, February 8, president Rajesh Patel expressed concern over some districts’ failure to comply with the mandatory statutes surrounding the regional local club competition.
He highlighted that last year, several districts lost valuable points due to non-compliance, including one premier division team. Despite this, those teams still managed to secure their place in the highly competitive IDC, which Patel referred to as a “freebie.”
“This time, no more freebies,” Patel had declared in his speech. “Commit yourself to your local league, then only you’ll be able to turn to the FMF IDC.”
The FMF IDC will take place from October 7-12 at 4R Stadium and Govind Park. The pool draws are scheduled for tomorrow.
Meanwhile, in the EPL matches yesterday, Rewa beat Nasinu 2-0, Navua thumped Nadi 5-2, and Suva edged Lautoka 2-1. In matches on Saturday, Labasa defeated Nadroga 5-2 while Ba secured a tough 2-1 win against Tavua.
