Fiji Football Association Photo: Facebook / Fiji FA
The Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) says it will not comment on claims made by a former local football administrator that the sport is "being held hostage" by the national body's hierarchy.
Nilesh Lal, a civil society leader who describes himself as "a longtime campaigner for reforms" at the Fiji FA, wrote an article this week calling for a "major shake-up from top to bottom" in how the sport is governed in the country.
Lal pointed to the Fijian men's recent regional and international performances, FIFA ranking, and "poor governance" as examples of why soccer was "locked in a permanent slump".
He described Fiji FA's constitution as "deliberately undemocratic", claiming it had created a leadership structure that "remains impenetrable".
"In a healthy sporting body, constitutions are meant to ensure fair play and democratic governance. In Fiji FA's case, the constitution became a tool of exclusion - a way to erect barriers to entry and cement an oligarchy," he wrote.
However, Fiji FA chief executive Mohammed Yusuf has branded Lal's views as "factually wrong".
Fiji FA CEO Mohammed Yusuf Photo: Fiji Football Association
"Fiji FA wishes not to comment on this person's commentary as we do not respond to any social media comments and/or comments," Yusuf said in an email response to RNZ Pacific.
"We regret his opinion is without any verification and factually wrong," he said without going into details.
"We have a constitutional responsibility which is our guiding principles. We leave it at that," he added.
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In 2023, Fijian Sports Minister Jese Saukuru said the Fiji FA needed "new blood" and "a restructure" to develop the sport.
Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel was elected to lead the national football office for a fourth term in June 2023. He was first voted in as president in 2011 and could go on to serve the association until 2031.
Patel told local media at the time he had "major plans to further the development of football in the country".
