THE Fiji Football Association has once again found itself under scrutiny over the viral video involving a Ba F.C. player throwing what appeared to be a white substance onto the field before the Fiji FACT final.
Outspoken former Fiji football legend Sylvester Joseph said the FFA has reached a new low with its clarification, arguing the matter should have been handled professionally instead of attempting to reinterpret laws to justify the incident.
Joseph said FFA chief executive Mohammed Yusuf got it wrong, adding that the clarification offered little substance and reflected a misunderstanding of FIFA and IFAB regulations which is clearly stipulated.
“The International Football Association Board strictly prohibits bringing any unauthorized, dangerous, or potentially harmful substances or objects onto the field,” Joseph said.
“The Laws of the Game prohibit throwing any object, including powders, liquids, or other substances, onto the field, opponents, officials, or playing surface. Such actions can result in disciplinary measures, including a red card for violent conduct or unsporting behaviour.”
Joseph said while he respects players’ faith, cultural beliefs, and personal choices to pray, seek motivation, or celebrate, he has never witnessed players carrying foreign objects onto the field in world sport, particularly in football.
“Football has always had rituals and superstitions. Across all levels of the game, players have personal routines before stepping onto the field. But this incident became a major talking point because of the optics, a player publicly scattering an unidentified substance on the pitch before one of Fiji’s biggest football finals,” he said.
Joseph described attempts to label the incident as merely a personal pre-match ritual as unacceptable.
He said the incident also raised serious concerns about security, health, and player safety issues he believes were overlooked by the FFA.
“For whatever was scattered, what if it contained sharp objects, harmful materials, or anything that could pose danger to the goalkeeper or other players?
“I’m not saying that was the case, but what guarantees were there?
“Since it was done in plane sight why was there no security intervention or inspection of the goal area?, they test players for substance abuse but turn a blind eye on substance carried in the field.
“These are important questions that need answers.”
Joseph said the FFA’s response has been widely viewed as inadequate.
“The clarification has created the impression that the governing body was more focused on protecting Ba F.C. from controversy than reassuring the wider football public about what was clearly an unusual and unprecedented incident in Fiji football.
“It sets a dangerous precedent, one that could allow teams and players to carry foreign objects onto the field under the guise of religious or cultural rituals.”
