‘No conflict of interest’

The Extra Bula Football Club (FC) is a private company and is not required to disclose its internal business matters to the public. 

This was revealed yesterday by Bula FC chairman Marc McElrath. 

He was responding to concerns raised by football fans about a perceived conflict of interest involving the club’s merchandise suppliers. 

The merchandise company RK21 belongs to Bula FC captain Roy Krishna. 

His wife, Naziah, is the club’s acting commercial manager. 

“As a private company, it is allowed to purchase uniforms from RK21, Axellerate or anyone it chooses,” McElrath said. 

“Even though Naziah is Roy Krishna’s wife and works for the business, at the end of the day it is a private company and it can purchase uniforms from anybody.” 

McElrath told SUNsports that due to the short lead-up to the start of the OFC Pro- League competition, the club purchased playing kits from RK21 as well as merchandise from Axellerate, a Nadi-based printing company. 

“It really has nothing to do with the fans because it’s a private company,” he said. 

At the kit unveiling and sponsorship press conference with Extra Supermarket in Lautoka last week, Krishna said he owns RK21. 

“The company does belong to Roy Krishna. It is not a conflict of interest because it is a private company and, as a private company, it can purchase from anywhere,” McElrath said. 

When asked how many companies had applied, the processes the club had followed and how the club came to its final decision? 

McElrath said there was no need to disclose the process used to determine the club’s merchandise suppliers. 

“That’s an internal matter and who we choose is the company’s prerogative,” he said. 

“As a private company, we do not have to advertise for merchandise suppliers. Due to a lack of time, we sourced uniforms wherever possible. We are currently using both RK21 and Axellerate.” 

McElrath also confirmed the club would not reveal how much was paid to RK21. 

“That is internal company information and cannot be released,” he added.