Editorial:

The suspension and fines meted out to three Vodafone Fiji men’s football players are excessive and unrealistic.

The cases of Lautoka’s Kolinio Sivoki, Ba’s Ilimotama Jese and Narendra Rao were heard by the Fiji Football Association board meeting at Uprising Beach Resort in Pacific Harbour.

The players appeared with their legal representatives and were briefed with the processes, according to Mohammed Yusuf, the chief executive officer.

Sivoki was banned from playing for five years and fined $20,000.

Rao was suspended from all levels of football activities for the season and fined $3000 which should be paid prior to his participation at any level of football and there shall be no appeal on the fine amount. Jese was banned for three years and fined $10,000.

Considering that these players are amateurs and paid accordingly, the fines especially, were disproportionate to what they earn.

There should be a review of the fines to scale them down to a realistic  level even if it means amending the constitution.

It has been claimed that Rao had applied for bereavement leave to attend his grandmother’s funeral but it was turned down. He still went.

There has been a counter claim that on the day of the funeral he was playing for Ba.

Reviewing of the fines should not be misinterpreted as treating lightly the alleged offences.

It would be interesting to find out whether any of the local players earn income that is compatible with the $20,000 penalty.

By all means, we need rules and penalties to ensure that the players are disciplined.

Discipline is essential in any sport.

But these players are amateurs and they do not earn what their professional counterparts get. They sacrifice a lot to be representing Fiji at international level and they must be recognised.

Let’s discipline those players who break the rules but let’s be realistic when it comes to financial penalties.

Feedback:  nemani.delaibatiki@fijisun.com.fj