Just days after completing one of the most successful seasons in Fijian football history, Ravinesh Kumar’s departure from Ba FC has developed into a major controversy. A three-page termination letter attributed to the Ba Football Association, dated 20 October 2026 and circulated on social media, outlines seven alleged breaches of conduct against the championship-winning coach, including misuse of club property, abusive behaviour towards officials and supporters, violations of team rules and an allegation concerning his past in New Zealand.
Ba FA announced Kumar’s dismissal on Sunday, 18 October, just one week after he guided the Men in Black to the Inter-District Championship title. The victory completed a remarkable domestic clean sweep, with Ba winning the Extra Premier League, Fiji FACT, Battle of the Giants and IDC during the 2026 season.
The decision initially came without a detailed public explanation. In a subsequent statement, the association said the termination concerned disciplinary and conduct matters, while insisting that confidential employment issues would not be discussed publicly. However, the document now circulating provides a considerably more detailed account of the accusations underlying the decision.
The letter, bearing the name and signature of Ba FA General Secretary Lillian Sabrina Khan, states that Kumar had been employed under an oral agreement beginning around 23 January 2026. It alleges that he repeatedly failed to meet the behavioural and professional standards expected of the club’s head coach.
Among the accusations is the alleged use of a Ba FA vehicle to travel to Nadi and coach a Nadi TIV team. The document claims Kumar was seen in Nadi on 17 October and that GPS records showed the association’s vehicle had been in the area throughout the week. It further alleges that Kumar reacted abusively when questioned about his whereabouts and had sought permission to travel to New Zealand while the Nadi TIV side was scheduled to compete there.
The letter also describes several alleged confrontations involving supporters and football officials. One incident reportedly occurred during half-time of Ba’s IDC final against Navua on 11 October, when Kumar allegedly directed abusive language and gestures towards a Ba supporter.
The association additionally refers to an incident during September’s Battle of the Giants tournament, when Kumar confronted a security officer following Ba’s match against Lautoka. That earlier disciplinary matter was independently reported at the time, with the Fiji Football Association issuing Kumar a final warning and a financial penalty. A further offence of a similar nature could have resulted in a five-match suspension from the bench.
Other allegations contained in the termination letter concern Kumar’s treatment of Ba FA officials, including alleged verbal confrontations during training sessions and a video analysis meeting at the IDC. The document also accuses him of verbally abusing a Fiji FA academy official during an Extra Premier League fixture and of maintaining contact with an individual who had reportedly been barred from Ba FA football activities.
Another section alleges violations of team camp rules involving the consumption of grog, a traditional kava drink, during the IDC. According to the letter, Kumar allegedly encouraged players and outside individuals to participate despite restrictions imposed by the association.
Perhaps the most serious allegation appears in the final section of the document, which claims Kumar failed to disclose an alleged criminal conviction in New Zealand involving an assault against his wife, followed by deportation. The association argues that such information should have been disclosed before his appointment, given the responsibilities of a head coach working with young players and women.
These allegations remain unverified independently. In particular, no court records or official New Zealand documentation have been established to substantiate the criminal allegation contained in the circulated letter. Its inclusion represents the association’s purported accusation rather than an independently confirmed account of Kumar’s past.
The document also describes the circumstances surrounding Kumar’s dismissal. According to the letter, he was invited to attend a meeting with the Ba FA Board of Control on 18 October to provide explanations regarding the accusations. It states that he declined to attend and subsequently returned the association’s vehicle, leaving its keys at the club’s office.
Kumar, however, has challenged the manner in which the dismissal was handled. Speaking to FBC Sports and subsequently issuing a public statement, the former coach said he had not received a formal termination letter or sufficient details of the allegations against him as of 20 October.
He explained that he had been notified of the disciplinary meeting only a few hours before it was scheduled to begin and had not been provided with an agenda or supporting information. Kumar also maintained that he never signed a formal written employment contract with Ba FA.
The coach expressed frustration over allegations circulating publicly and called for an opportunity to examine and respond to the claims. He also raised concerns about personal attacks directed towards his family, insisting that his decision not to engage in public accusations should not be interpreted as accepting them.
Ba FA president Praneel Dayal has maintained that the association will not comment on social media speculation or confidential employment matters, stating that internal decisions are handled through established procedures. The association has not publicly authenticated the circulated three-page letter or individually addressed its contents.
The controversy has overshadowed an extraordinary sporting achievement. Under Kumar, Ba returned to the summit of Fijian football, winning the national league championship and three major knockout competitions. The club ended a 16-year wait for the Fiji FACT trophy and secured its first league title in seven years, before completing the season with the IDC crown.
The clean sweep also secured Ba’s qualification for the next OFC Champions League, making the coaching change particularly significant as the club prepares to return to continental competition.
While the association has defended its decision as a matter of professional standards and discipline, Kumar has questioned the process and demanded formal communication of the allegations. With the contents of the termination letter now circulating publicly, the dispute extends beyond the departure of a successful coach and raises questions about disciplinary procedures, confidentiality and the treatment of both parties.
Ba FA has indicated that a new head coach will be appointed in due course. For now, the Men in Black face the unusual situation of preparing for another major campaign without the man who guided them to all four domestic titles in 2026, as one of Fiji football’s most remarkable seasons ends in a contentious separation.
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