Fiji FA plans tougher drug policy following BOG controversy

The Fiji Football Association is preparing to review its social drug policy, with tougher sanctions for offending players potentially on the way following renewed concerns surrounding drug cases in domestic football.

Fiji FA chief executive Mohammed Yusuf confirmed that the association intends to conduct a full review of the existing policy before October, with proposed changes expected to be taken to the Fiji FA Council for approval.

The development comes at a particularly relevant moment after drug-related disciplinary matters again became a talking point during the 2026 Battle of the Giants.

“We are going to review the entire social drug policy,” Yusuf said, explaining that the association wants to formulate stronger measures and increase the consequences faced by players who breach the regulations.

The current BOG has once again highlighted the scale and complexity of the problem. Two positive results were recorded from the first 48 drug tests conducted during the tournament, although a further 24 tests carried out on the second day all returned negative results.

The situation has attracted additional attention because Fiji football has already dealt with several drug cases during the 2026 season. At the Fiji FACT, four prohibited-drug positives were reported from 72 tests, involving three marijuana cases and one methamphetamine case. Three were reportedly repeat offenders.

Questions surrounding the effectiveness and consistency of the existing disciplinary system were also raised during the BOG after players whose previous cases remained unresolved were allowed to return to competition.

The planned review therefore represents an important next step for Fiji FA as it attempts to strengthen its response to a problem that has repeatedly surfaced at major domestic tournaments.

Yusuf indicated that the association does not intend to address the issue solely through football sanctions. Fiji FA also wants greater cooperation with organisations and authorities involved in combating drug use in Fiji, combining disciplinary measures with a broader effort to tackle the problem.

Any changes approved following the review could have significant consequences for players and clubs across Fiji’s domestic competitions.

With drug testing now a regular feature of the country’s major football tournaments, the question will be whether stronger sanctions and a revised policy can provide the deterrent Fiji FA is seeking — and prevent the same disciplinary uncertainty from continuing into future competitions.