POPULAR football commentator Raymond Stoddard has made explosive claims that Nadi officials allegedly approached Labasa and Navua in a bid to fix matches that could have secured the district’s qualification for the Inter District Championship (IDC).
Speaking on the FBC Sports Talkback Show, Stoddard said both districts confirmed the approaches, though he stopped short of naming individuals.
“For the past two weeks, Nadi have been asking for the games, the presidents have confirmed,” he said. “It cannot be confirmed in writing, but they have told us verbally.”
Stoddard went further, alleging that Nadi even tried to reach out to Navua at halftime of their decisive clash.
“If the person has any conscience, whoever that person came to ask is guilty,” he said, slamming the conduct as a stain on football’s integrity.
The claims strike at the heart of the sport’s integrity, raising concerns about fair play and the reputation of domestic football.
Stoddard also pointed to deeper issues in Nadi football, saying the district’s decline stems from poor player development at club level.
“It all comes down to developing players. In the past, you had the likes of Rusiate Waqan and Henry Dyer coming out of club football.
“It is not happening now.”
Nadi went on to lose 5–2 to Navua, missing out on IDC qualification.
The district later lodged a protest, claiming Navua fielded ineligible player Simione Domini, who had accumulated two yellow cards.
Navua conceded it was an “honest mistake.”
But the fallout has sparked fresh calls for accountability.
“Honest mistake claim is shady,” said Nadi football great Rusiate Waqan.
“Nasinu deserves the eighth spot. Nadi is as bad as it gets from the top-down officials to the team. It needs a complete overhaul.”
Former president Navneeda Goundar also voiced his frustration.
“I’m saddened. Something’s wrong, and it needs fixing,” he said.
