Desperate times, require desperate measures as Fiji Football Association adapts to the suspension of sponsorship from Vodafone Fiji.

Fiji FA chief executive officer (CEO) Mohammed Yusuf confirmed to SUNsports yesterday that despite it being on hold, Vodafone is still continuing on with the sponsorship.

“When COVID-19 hit Fiji there was no football for four months because the country and the world was in a lockdown,” he said.

“As a result Vodafone decided to suspend their sponsorship but they have not cancelled it. They have suspended it to December 31st.

“This is for them to recover from the economical impact. To rebuild and when they are in a better financial position than they’ll resume.

“The financial impact has been bad across the country so it’s understandable.”

Yusuf said they are still Vodafone’s name in all their competition.

“We’ll talk with them again in December. We are still going on with Vodafone’s five year contract since it just started last year.

“This year the amount will be less because of the pandemic so come December we will decide going forward.”

Transfer

Yusuf said the July 1-7 Transfer Window closed yesterday.

“There was not much movement but we will provide a list once we finalise all applications,” he said.

“There is no big transfer because we are very strict around those applying. A lot of players don’t qualify to move to another district.

“It’s only for those players in free transfer and also those with genuine transfers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Some players might have lost their jobs and have moves back to their villages.”

“Everyone is excited to play and get back at the ground from this weekend,” he added.

The VPL resumes this Saturday when Ba host Navua at the Fiji FA Academy ground.

The Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants tournament gets underway on August 7-9 at Churchill Park, Lautoka.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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