Three football players have been suspended after testing positive for marijuana during a recent screening exercise conducted during the BiC Fiji FACT at Subrail Park in Labasa.
The Fiji Football Association says a total of 48 players were tested over two days as part of the Fiji Football Association's ongoing commitment to maintaining clean sport and upholding the integrity of football competitions.
It says the three players who returned positive results for marijuana will now appear before the Fiji FA Disciplinary Committee, where their cases will be reviewed.
They will remain suspended from all football activities until a final verdict is delivered.
Fiji FA Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Yusuf says the testing exercise demonstrates the association's commitment to ensuring football remains free from prohibited substances.
Yusuf says Fiji FA has a zero-tolerance approach towards prohibited substances in football.
He says these testing exercises are an important part of ensuring fair play, safeguarding player welfare and maintaining public confidence in competitions.
Yusuf says all players are expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct and any breach of Fiji FA's anti-doping regulations will be dealt with through the appropriate disciplinary channels.
Fiji FA says the respective district associations of the suspended players have also been advised that all disciplinary fines must be settled before their teams are permitted to take the field in their next matches.
It says competition organisers have been instructed to issue invoices to the affected teams.
In addition to the marijuana findings, the Fiji FA Medical Commission reported that two players tested positive for alcohol.
As a result, all eight participating teams have been directed to submit written declarations by 3pm today, identifying any players currently taking prescribed medication that could affect testing outcomes.
Yusuf says Fiji FA is allowing teams to clarify any legitimate medical circumstances before further action is taken.
He is encouraging all teams to cooperate fully with the process and provide the necessary information within the stipulated timeframe.
He adds that transparency is essential to ensuring fair outcomes for everyone involved.
Failure to provide the required information could lead to further suspensions, subject to a final decision by the Board of Control.
Yusuf reiterated that maintaining the integrity of the game remains a top priority for the national governing body.
He says keeping football clean is a shared responsibility and Fiji FA will continue to work closely with medical partners, districts, players and officials to promote professionalism, accountability and the highest standards throughout its competitions.
The testing programme forms part of Fiji FA's broader strategy to strengthen player welfare, competition integrity and public confidence in domestic football competitions across the country.
