Match officials did not view the Big Screen at the ANZ Stadium - Yusuf

Fiji Football Association's CEO Mohammed Yusuf confirms that the match officials did not view the replays on the big screen at the ANZ Stadium to make a crucial decision in the Group A match of the Courts IDC between Ba and Labasa.

The referee had first ruled out a foul by Ba goalkeeper Josaia Ratu on a Labasa player in Ba's penalty box but later yellow carded Ratu and awarded a penalty to Labasa.

After ruling out the foul play the referee was told by some Labasa players to have a view of the big screen for the footage and these players had pointed towards the screen where the replay was being showed.

The referee then conducted two sets of consultations with his assistant and later awarded Labasa a penalty and yellow carded Ratu.

At the same time, replays of Ratu committing the foul were also shown on the big screen and the referee was looking towards Ba goalmouth giving an indication that he was looking at the screen to make his decision.

However, Yusuf has denied this adding replays on the big screen had no part in match officials decision and that the referee had only consulted his assistant.

The Fiji FA has not adopted new policies as yet which will allow the use of Video Assistant Referee, hence the match officials cannot view big screens for replays to make decisions.

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