Yusuf: Turnout Low, Live Coverage A Hit

The 2020 Vodafone Fiji FACT at Subrail Park, Labasa recorded a low turnout. And Fiji Football Association chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf was not happy.

The weather was unfavourable from the first day, leaving the pitch soggy and teams had to struggle to adapt to the heavy and wet slippery pitch.

However, Yusuf said the

Fiji One was a success.

“Of course we are disappointed with the live coverage by low turnout, nevertheless we are experimenting a lot of things for the future.

This is one way of seeing how we fare when we want to do live telecast.

“For next year, we have a plan in place to make sure people turn up,” he said.

“It’s a success as we reached out to approximately 50,000 people through the live coverage and live-streaming.

“This is what we need for football to grow in all areas of the country.

“Friday was a great day. The weather was fine and the Labasa Town Council workers did a great work and now we have kicked off with the Senior League games for the President’s Cup.

“And we expect more people to come because I think, Labasa needs the support to do well.

CHAMPS IN SEMIS

“For the first time ever we got the champions in the semis. Battle of Giants champion (Rewa), FACT champ (Nadi), Premier League champ (Suva) and IDC champ (Labasa),” he added.

“Labasa fans are the mainstay of the team, without the fans, Labasa can’t win, simple as that according to the Labasa Football president.”

DISCIPLINE

Yusuf has applauded players for maintaining discipline on the field. No red cards have been given for the past three days.

“The players are more disciplined and a lot of players are playing by the rules,” Yusuf said.

“We will continue with drug test. There has been four positive results in both Premier and senior teams.

“We still trying to verify if they are repeat or first offenders and they will be dealt accordingly.”