Police confirm that they have not received any reports from the Fiji Football Association regarding the allegation of drug use, but are ready to work with the Fiji FA executives when they come forward with the information.
Chief of Intelligence and Investigation ACP Vakacegu Toduadua says the Fiji FA’s decision to suspend the players allegedly tested positive for drugs is one Police cannot interfere with, however the onus is on the executives to either report or provide information on any drug related activities that they suspect of, or are aware of, so Police can act on it which may also lead to the involvement of other individuals who may be the supplier or cultivator.
ACP Toduadua says the war on drugs is one that Police need to fight collectively and its success lies in the sharing of information which Police continue to advocate with the community at large.
Worrying signs continue to emerge in Fiji Football as 9 out of the 33 players tested positive for marijuana during the National Under 23 trials earlier this month while 2 out of the 32 women footballers also tested positive for marijuana earlier this month.
When questioned by Fijivillage on when Fiji FA gets the drug test results and how soon can the Fiji Police Force get the information to investigate how the players got the drugs, Fiji Football Association CEO Mohammed Yusuf says Fiji FA gets the results quite quickly.
Fiji Football Association CEO Mohammed Yusuf
We then asked Yusuf on why Fiji FA has not forwarded the information of the recent positive drug test results as Police have been calling on everyone to help them in the war against drugs and finding out who are supplying the drugs to these players, Yusuf says they are currently focusing on their internal investigation regarding allegations by the players against the National Coach.
When asked by Fijivillage why the matter on the drugs is not given to the Police immediately as this would assist Police, Yusuf maintained that they will give the information if Police come to the Fiji FA.
Following these comments by the Fiji FA CEO, Fijivillage asked Police about this issue.
ACP Toduadua says the key element here is cooperation and the Fiji FA’s willingness to freely give the information that could assist in dealing with the issues.
He says while Police do not want to speculate on the reasons as to why Fiji FA would want to withhold critical information, Police believe the onus is on the executives to do the right thing and provide the information and work with Police if Fiji FA are concerned about the impacts it is having on the sport.
ACP Toduadua says Police believe the Fiji FA executives will do the right thing and provide Police with information noting the bigger implications it has on society and not just the sport.
