The OFC Acting President Lambert Maltock leads the Oceania football community in mourning long-time servant of the game Emmie Sope following her passing early this morning.

Maltock said Sope will leave a large hole in the football landscape following years of tireless work in football development and with the OFC Just Play Programme.

“Emmie has always been incredibly passionate not just about progressing football, but in helping develop the people on the ground in our communities across the Pacific.

“There are very few people involved in Oceania football who have not worked with Emmie, or who aren’t aware of the tireless work she has done across the region advocating for women and children and pushing to see football become the number one sport,” Maltock said.

“Her reward was seeing smiling children enjoying football, ours is having known and worked alongside such a compassionate, warm and loving friend.”

Maltock offered his sincere condolences to Sope’s family and friends on behalf of the OFC Executive Committee and the OFC Secretariat.