STRATUM/Lincoln Rewa FC defender Delon Shankar is set to return to the FMF Inter-District Championship (IDC), but the spotlight remains on Extra Supermarket Labasa FC midfielder Melvin Mani as Fiji Football Association weighs his fate.
Shankar was cleared by the Fiji FA board yesterday to feature in the IDC, bringing an end to uncertainty over his availability for Rewa.
However, Mani’s situation remains unresolved, with the board still awaiting relevant documents before deciding whether the Labasa midfielder will be allowed to play.
Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel confirmed the decisions, saying Rewa had been informed of the outcome regarding Shankar.
“We have informed Rewa about it with the coaches and everything that we have consulted,” Patel said.
Shankar will be allowed to play but must serve a one-year good behaviour bond following his disciplinary breach with the national team.
His nomination for a placement with the Oceania Football Confederation in Auckland has been withdrawn, while his offer from Bula FC has also been withdrawn.
Patel said the Bula FC coach would later decide whether Shankar would be given another opportunity with the club.
The Fiji FA president said the disciplinary action was intended to reinforce the standards expected of a player aiming for a professional career.
“If he wants to become a professional player, all these behaviours of not informing and running away, all this has to change,” Patel said.
While Shankar now has clarity over his IDC status, Mani is still waiting.
With the board yet to receive the required documents on Mani’s case, his availability for Labasa remains undecided, leaving one of the tournament’s key player-status questions still hanging over the IDC.
