OFC and FRU expected to meet this week to resolve HFC Bank Stadium double booking issue

The Oceania Football Confederation and the Fiji Rugby Union are expected to hold a meeting this week to resolve the matter where the Fiji Sports Council has double booked the HFC Bank Stadium for the match between the Flying Fijians and Scotland and the OFC Women’s Nations Cup in July this year.

The Council has booked the stadium for the OFC Women’s Nations Cup from 5th to 19th July and July 12th for the test match.

The Fiji FA has threatened legal action against the Council if the issue is not resolved as they have made the booking and paid in full in November last year.

Fiji FA CEO Mohammed Yusuf says they are hoping for a win-win situation following their meeting and if that happens, the Council will be informed.

He says changing the venue or date would cost Fiji almost $1.8 million but that is not something they will consider.

While speaking to fijivillage News, Yusuf says all 8 countries have booked their accommodation and date and they want the tournament to be held in Fiji.

FRU Chair John Sanday says they made the booking on 12th of December last year, paid for the venue and received the confirmation earlier this month.

Sanday says they are always reasonable and want to ensure everybody is treated fairly.

While responding to the question by fijivillage News if they are considering another venue, Sanday says they will have to consider venues that are economically sound and work for FRU financially.

He says they will not be able to change the date of the test match as Scotland is travelling into the country.

Questions sent to the Council remain unanswered.

The Council had earlier double booked the HFC Bank Stadium on the 5th of April for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua match against the Crusaders and the Coca-Cola Games, however, the Ministry of Education accommodated and changed the dates for the Games to last weekend.