Fans warned after referee attack
The Fiji Football Association has called on fans not to vent their frustration on match officials.
This was after angry fans mobbed the referee after Nadi lost 1-0 to Rewa in extra time during round three of the Vodafone Premier League at Prince Charles Park, Nadi yesterday.
Fans attacked referee Anith Kumar and match officials as they made their way to the dressing room at full-time.
“We don’t condone any form of violence and Fiji FA will come down hard,” said Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf.
“If we see that fans have overreacted and the result could see Nadi losing on housing its home matches.
“Also, as the host, the responsibility of the fans rests on Nadi Football. They have to control their
crowd.”
Yusuf said they would assess the situation before taking action. However, the Vodafone Premier League is Fiji’s top flight competition and referee’s performance should be on par.
“We will look into the referees report and referees assessors report as well,” he said.
The match: Nadi seems had a grand start with Rusiate Matererega and Napolioni Qasevakatini failing to utilise thier chances.
The Jetsetters had the services of debutant Serevi Waqa, Sakaraia Naisua, Afraaz Ali, Tito Vodowaqa and the return of Ame Votoniu in the defence.
Former Nadi rep Joseph Patrick scored the winning goal for Rewa on debut through a penalty in the 93rd minute of the match.
This was after Votoniu fouled Bruce Hughes in what was seen as a controversial penalty which agitated the Nadi fans.
They felt the foul took place outside the box.
The Delta Tigers had the services of Sameula Nabenia, Savenaca Baledrokadroka, Jale Dreloa, Senirusi Bokini, Setareki Hughes, and Peniame Drova.
Comments: Rewa coach Marika Rodu said: “We made sure that we came in with a stringent approach. “Last year they gave us a tough time so we came in a mindset that we were not going away from the game without a point.
“We kept possession for most times, first half but in the second spell we had to lift our intensity. “We are happy with the win but whether the foul was inside the box or outside I could not see that.” Nadi FA vice president/secretary Mohammed Mohin Rafiq said: “We take our hats off to the boys; they are a young team and displayed wonderful football.
“We need to work on our finishing which got us frustrated.”