Random drugs tests will be held during the Vodafone Fiji FACT which will be played at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori from May 12-14.
Fiji Football Association chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf said that they needed to comply with FIFA’s rules.
“At a council meeting Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel made it clear that we have to comply with the FIFA directive and one of the issues is that players have to be tested randomly,” Yusuf said.
“We started it with the Vodafone National team,
we had it during the Champion vs Champion series and Vodafone National League matches and at the Vodafone Fiji FACT there will be random tests done.
We have given the districts and the player’s ample time to comply.
“If the players test positive then they will be subjected to disciplinary action and the district will also face hefty fines.”
He said if any player was found positive would be not allowed to further compete in the tournament.
“We don’t know the number how many players will be tested but it may two or three players per team and per match will be randomly picked up and tested and the sample will be taken and those players who will positive will stopped from further taking part in the tournament, ”Yusuf said.
He said the players would be given another six weeks to come back for the second test for confirmation and if found positive again further disciplinary action would be taken.
“We want to clean up the sport and the districts must do likewise to ensure the players keep away from drug and the bad habit.
“There will be ten samples done free of charge for us,” Yusuf said.
“For the extras, Fiji FA will fund because we want to make the sport clean so that Fiji FA does not get caught in any FIFA event to be fined.
“If a national team player tests positive then Fiji FA gets separate disciplinary action where we can lose our assistance. We are talking about half a million dollars.
“We will also be suspended from FIFA competitions and the players will be suspended for life because they are very strict on doping and drug control.”
Meanwhile Yusuf says this year’s Vodafone Fiji FACT will be much bigger and better as the team have been preparing well for the tournament.
“Looking at the Vodafone Premier League now at least six of those districts, they were all in neck in neck which shows the competition was very much alive.
“We cannot take anything away from Dreketi and Rakiraki,”
He said Dreketi in the past had been the tournament team and they had a tag as giant killers and Rakiraki would have the first taste and for sure playing in different environment would be a boost for them.” No team can be taken lightly,”.
He said the fans could expect the feast of football and they were also anticipating food stalls to cater for the meals for the fans.
“There will also be a beer parlor inside the arena so people can go and enjoy few drinks and have fun enjoying the first tournament of the year.”
“Yusuf confirmed that the ticket price for the tournament would be same as last year’s INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants.
“The ticket price is very reasonable as we had during the INKK Mobile BOG last year which is $10 flat with no reserve sittings and the early you come will have the best seats while for child under 12 will be $4 and from the age of six will be free.”
The pre- sale for the Vodafone Fiji FACT will start from May 8 at Nausori Town Council and Fiji FA Headquarters in Vatuwaqa.
The Vodafone Fiji FACT opening round will be played from May 12-14. The eliminations will be held from May 19-21.
Defending champions Nadi is in Group A with Labasa, Ba and Dreketi. Group B has Rewa, Lautoka, Rakiraki and Suva. Yusuf said they had support from the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee for anti-doping.
