The Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) is warning local players to stop using drugs if they want to have a career in the sport.
The warning comes after more than 20 players competing at the Fiji FA’s annual Inter District Championship (IDC) this week tested positive for drug use following random testing after matches.
According to FIFA’s anti-doping regulations, which are aligned with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, all member associations must enforce these rules, and players can face severe bans if they violate them.
Fiji FA chief executive Mohammed Yusuf told RNZ Pacific that drug use has become a national problem in Fiji and the national football body would not condone it.
Yusuf said 20 positive drug cases were recorded over three days of tests conducted during the IDC currently being held in the capital, Suva.
“Fiji FA will be conducting drug tests at the grounds across all levels,” he said.
“If you are into it, don’t come and play because if you get caught, you will be suspended,” Yusuf warned players.
“We want to make sure that players choose football, but [say] no to drugs, and this message must go wide and clear to everybody.”
Out of the 162 tests carried out in the first three days of competition, Yusuf confirmed that 22 returned positive results, including two for alcohol.
“This is a national issue and we, the sports associations in Fiji, are spending a lot of money to detect this,” he said.
“We will work with authorities and share data.”
The Fiji FA has conducted drug tests since 2024, and Yusuf said the cases continue to increase.
Earlier this year, three positive cases were found after tests were done during the Fiji FACT tournament.
In 2024, The Fiji Times reported that 21 players had failed drug tests during the IDC event in Lautoka.
Yusuf told the newspaper at the time that the players found in question may have been habitual drug users.
Players who tested positive this week week have been suspended from competing and will face the Fiji FA Board, where they will have the opportunity to defend themselves.
