Former FIFA official says time for change in Fiji

Banned former FIFA Vice President Reynald Temarii says it’s the right time for a leadership change at Fiji Football Association.

On the eve of the Fiji FA ordinary congress Temarii, a former President of Oceania Football and Tahiti Football says while he has a lot of respect for the current President of Fiji FA, opportunities should be given to younger people to lead Fiji’s national football body.

Temarii was banned from FIFA recently over bribery allegations paving the way for PNG’s David Chung to take the leadership reigns of the regional soccer Confederation. “In principle, I never interfered in local and political issues.

At the same time, I believe that it is the right time for a change of leadership in Fiji Football Association” he said. Temarii also took the opportunity to talk of his own leadership at OFC and in particular lifting the standard of the game in Oceania.

“As a concrete example in June 2010, one of our referees from the Pacific Islands earned 85 000 NZD just to be part during 2 months of the South Africa FIFA World Cup. At home, this referee used to earn 600 NZD per month as an employee of the local government”.

Temarii was banned for one year from all levels of football by FIFA in November 2010 for breaching FIFA’s Code of Ethics. He was one of six Vice Presidents of FIFA and is a former Sports Minister and footballer of French Polynesia.

ENDS

© Scoop Media