Unfortunately, one more time, Fiji football faces the same problem: behaviour issues with its players. This time the Fiji Football Association adressed the situation as an “unacceptable behaviour” what forced the national to be reduced: “[…] the squad has now been further reduced to 22 players as two players have been dropped from the squad due to unacceptable behaviour. They will now go through our stipulated disciplinary processes.” said the entity in social media.
Initially the squad was composed by 24 players – after the announcement made on Ilisoni Logaivau last weekend. The two players that were dropped from the squad are the experienced internationals Dave Radrigai and Beniamino Mateinaqara. The Fiji Football Association also informed there will be no new inclusions in the team commanded by the Danish head coach Flemming Serritslev.
The football governing body in Fiji did not mention what was indeed the reason of dropping two of their most important players – nor adressed what meant for the entity an “unnaceptable behaviour”. Oceania Football Center talked to the veteran goalkeeper Beniamino Mateinaqara about the situation; the Lautoka’s recent addition mentioned he sustained an injury: “I got injured on Sunday and I know that It will not heal in time”. The goalkeeper was forced to be subbed in the most recent match of his team at Digicel Premier League last Sunday. Despite the injury issue, Mateinaqara also added: “I just did not go to the camp. So I am not going to Qatar anymore“. All players called up by Serristlev were expected to show up in camp this Monday at Ba academy.
Oceania Football Center also tried to contact Dave Radrigai, but unsuccessfully until this reporting. You can check the updated full squad of Fiji for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers by clicking here.
Oceania Football Center 