FIJI Football Association (FFA) will be turning up the ante this weekend during the Inkk Battle of the Giants tournament in Labasa in its effort to keep Fijian football drug free.
Players, officials or members of the public planning to use illegal drugs during the tournament should think twice. Fiji FA will not hesitate in ensuring that legal means are followed to punish those using illegal drugs.
And players would be tested at random to ensure that they do not use sports enhancement or illicit drugs.
Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf said they had been trying to eradicate the use of illicit drugs by nipping it in the bud.
He said leniency could be given to players tested positive to marijuana after they were caught as they would be counselled and given a second chance.
Otherwise other forms of illicit drugs would not be pardoned.
“If players are tested positive to methamphetamine or ice, that is the end of it. No more football for them,” Yusuf said.
He said they had to resort to harsher penalties because of the seriousness of the offence.
Yusuf confirmed they would be employing the services of Fijian owned company called VAN MED Labs for the tests.
He said personnel from that organisation would be conducting multi-tests.
“It would test for analgesic, methamphetamine or ice, morphine and other recreational drugs.
“We will choose few players to go through the tests.”
The move for Fiji FA to conduct drug tests on players have gained the support of affiliate districts.
