Fiji Football Association has postponed all scheduled matches, meetings and workshops with immediate effect until further notice.
This was confirmed by Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel.
Patel said this was in respect to the decision from the Government of Fiji following a confirmed case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Fiji.
“Fiji FA would like to take stand with the Government of Fiji and postpone all our scheduled matches, meetings and workshops taking into consideration the health, safety and wellbeing of the players, officials and basically the entire nation which has always been our priority,” Patel said.
“The situation is beyond our control and only thing we can do is to ensure preventative measures are taken at all times. Please be safe and adhere to all instructions from the Government and Ministry of Health,” he added.
Patel said the District Associations would be advised accordingly.
“We will closely monitor instructions from the relevant authorities before making a decision on rescheduling the matches, meetings and workshops that are affected by the decision.”
Meanwhile, the Papua New Guinea Football Association has suspended all its football activities for a period of 30 days due to coronavirus.
The postponement includes all Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League matches, PNGFA general secretary Dimirit Mileng said.
“It is a difficult decision for our organisation but it is important that we do this in the interest of the health of all our soccer players including our fans. The well-being of our players, coaches, referees, volunteers, supporters and the wider football community is our top priority. And, while this will be disappointing for many, postponing Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League for the time being is in everyone’s best interests,” he explained.
“Given the situation with COVID-19 is constantly changing we continue to ask everyone involved in Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League to support one another and follow NDOH/WHO guidelines.”
Mileng said other issues pertaining to the competition would be brought before the NSL Board for their deliberation if they encountered further challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the wider society.
Federation Caledonienne de Football also suspended football activities throughout the country until further notice.
All football competitions, including MOBIL SUPER LIGUE championship, have been postponed to a later date.
Trainings are also prohibited for every club affiliated with the Federation until further notice.
The offices of Federation Caledonienne de Football and the Païta Technical Center will also be closed until the situation stabilises.
The Extraordinary Federal Assembly scheduled for 28 March is also canceled.
Elsewhere, the Emergency Committee of the Tahitian Football Federation has decided to suspend all activities throughout the territory of French Polynesia until further notice.
The Festival of Seniors and Youth Islands has been postponed to October and the Federation’s offices will be closed from Monday, March 23 for a minimum of two weeks.
In New Zealand the 2019/20 ISPS Handa Premiership season has been concluded after 18 match weeks, out of concerns for team and community safety due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Auckland City, who were leading with 37 points, have been declared champions and awarded a place in the OFC Champions League for next season, along with second-placed Team Wellington.
The decision consulted national league clubs, and considered government and New Zealand Football expert medical advice around non-essential travel and mass gatherings.
NZ Football updates will be posted at www.nzfootball.co.nz/covid19
In the Solomon Islands, the SIFF Executive has made a decision to defer the U16 Youth Solomon Cup scheduled for April 6 to 18 until further notice due to coronavirus.
The SIFF Executive Committee regrettably made this decision after receiving professional advise from the Ministry of Health to defer the tournament as an intervention to reduce mass gatherings and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.
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