Five football players are now banned from playing all levels of football for three years after testing positive to drugs in the Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) sanctioned tournaments this year.

Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel told SUNsports yesterday the decision was made during the Fiji FA council meeting at the Fiji FA headquarters in Suva on Saturday.

“We’ve suspended five players after their disciplinary hearing,” he said.

“The players have been banned for one, two and three years as they were tested positive for the second time during the drug test. The drug testing was done during the Vodafone Fiji FACT, Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants and Courts Interdistrict Championship (IDC).

Patel said the players are from Navua, Nadroga and Lautoka.

Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf said the ban was necessary as they need to clean-up the sport.

“The players have tested positive for using drugs like marijuana and cocaine which are very dangerous drugs.

“The suspension will deter other players from using drugs and will clean-up the sport.

2018 TOURNAMENT VENUES

The Fiji FA board meeting also endorsed the venues for the pool matches of next year’s Fiji FACT, B.O.G and IDC.

“Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori will host Fiji FACT, Churchill Park in Lautoka to host the Battle of the Giants while the ANZ Stadium in Suva will host the IDC pool matches. We will reveal the dates of the tournaments later as we have to look into a few issues,” Patel added.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

Feedback:  leonec@fijisun.com.fj