Labasa reps boycott

Fiji Sports

Labasa team. Photo Credit: Fijilive.Labasa are in Viti Levu for their two games against Nadi and Nadroga with only 13 players after seven reps boycotted the 2-game tour because of differences with the current interim officials.

The Babasiga Lions arrived at Natovi without national U23 goalie Akuila Mateisuva, Penaia Bale, Apisalome Turuva, Taione Kerevanua, Waisea Drauna, Vikrant Chandra and Nalinesh Reddy.

“At this point in time I can only say that good has not prevailed among the officials and the players and to my understanding the players are not happy with the condition which led to the boycott,” Labasa soccer manager Kunal Naidu told FijiLive.

Naidu said there were unsolved issues within the association which is creating the rift between players and officials.

“Some issues are there which have not been resolved and that is believed to be the main cause leading up to what has transpired.

“Akuila Mateisuva and Apisalome Turuva did train for the whole week but are not part of the travelling side.”

Amit Khanaiya, Sandeep Nair, Ajesh Narayan and Nemani Rasiga are the only senior players in the travelling squad which includes nine U21 players.

“District pride and the commitment are not all there with the current Labasa players,” Naidu said.

Also missing from the travelling squad is team coach Epeli Levaci who could not obtain leave from work with Naidu forced to take on dual role including team coach for the Viti Levu tour.

Labasa will take on Nadi at 3pm today at Prince Charles Park before facing Nadroga tomorrow at the same time at Lawaqa Park.