‘Sacked’ Labasa coach wants explanation

Controversy surrounds the termination of interim Labasa football team coach Thomas Vulivuli.

He confirmed the termination to SUNsports on Saturday.

Vulivuli said after their match against Lautoka, the Labasa Football Association’s secretary sent his termination letter through Viber, which was signed by president Rayaz Khan.

“I didn’t argue with anyone, but I had sent a message to the association’s president Rayaz Khan to provide an explanation,” the former national football star striker said.

“They (Labasa FA) had approached me to assist the team during the Fiji FACT and DPL (Digicel Premier League).

“For two months I worked for free.”

When contacted, Khan downplayed the situation saying it was not true and “there was no story to it”.

Vulivuli was not at the Labasa bench during the 0-0 draw against Suva in Saturday’s DPL clash.

He was replaced by school teacher Sanjesh Lal, a former interim Labasa coach as well.

Vulivuli took over from Johan Leewai midway into the season and is now replaced by Lal.

Leewai is now Fiji Football Association’s regional development officer based at the Labasa Academy.

Vulivuli said the way Labasa FA delivered the termination letter was unprofessional.

“The sad part is that no one knows how the association runs and why the team is not performing. I work with the players to form a team but before the matches, a line-up list is sent to me by some officials to follow,” he alleged.

Vulivuli claimed that many times he can’t perform his role as coach because he is not allowed to.

“It was sad because those players who attended training regularly don’t get the opportunity to play.”

Vulivuli said that he would wait for Khan’s response on the reasons of his termination.

Labasa Football Association response
Khan, who is currently in New Zealand, when contacted yesterday refuted the claims.

“Vulivuli is still part of the team,” Khan said.

He said they had a coaching panel of four members where Vulivuli and Lal were still part of.

When asked about the remaining two names, he said he was busy and later would respond.

When questioned whether he fired Vulivuli as interim, he said: “There is no story to it.”

Story by: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj