Ba Police had counselled and warned Gamel

Police have today confirmed that Ba Police had counselled and warned Fiji Football Coach Christophe Gamel earlier this month after a report was filed at the Ba Police Station of Gamel allegedly assaulting four Ba players at the Fiji Soccer Academy.

When questioned by Police, the spokesperson Ana Naisoro says the four players came and reported the matter but they only wanted Gamel to be counseled and warned.

She says Police were ready to start the investigation into the alleged assault however the four players said that they only wanted the coach to be counseled and warned.

They also did not go for a medical check.

Still on the alleged assault,

Two renowned Ba soccer players who were part of the Fiji Under 23 trials are standing by their claims that they were allegedly assaulted by National Soccer Coach Christophe Gamel.

Ba player Simione Nabenu [left]

Ba soccer player Simione Nabenu says National goalkeeper coach Xavier Henneuse and other Fiji FA staff like Marika Rodu and Anushil Kumar were present in the room when the alleged incident occurred.

Nabenu says he will give his statement to the Fiji FA today or tomorrow.

Nabenu adds that he also reported the matter at Ba Police Station.

Another Ba player Kini Madigi also says that he stands by his story about the alleged assault.

Madigi says he will soon give his statement to the Fiji FA and has already reported the matter to Police.

The President of the Fiji Football Association Rajesh Patel has made it clear that the Fiji FA will not ask any person to step down nor will it terminate or suspend an employment based on media reports and allegations alone.

In a statement, Patel says on 16th January this year, nine players were found positive of drug use.

Patel says Gamel discussed these results with the players and made it clear that drugs are not tolerated by the Fiji FA and FIFA. These players were suspended.

The Fiji FA President says that on the 17th of January this year, the Ba Football Association sent an email complaining that Under 23 players namely, Amena Bolaitamana, Kalaveti Sivoi, Kini Madigi and Simione Nabenu were ill-treated (verbal abuse and slapped on the head numerous times) by Gamel.

Patel says Ba FA requested that until this issue is resolved, there should not be any reprimand or sanction against the Ba players concerned. 

Rajesh Patel stresses that Fiji FA and FIFA policy requires immediate suspension if players are found positive after a drug test. He says Fiji FA cannot hold off on reprimand or sanction based on unrelated allegations.

The Fiji FA President also confirms that Ba FA was informed on the 21st of this month that an internal investigation has commenced into the allegations of ill-treatment.

Patel says as part of this, Christophe Gamel has been interviewed and he has denied assaulting or abusing any players.

The Fiji FA President says that the players named through media or written complaint are invited to make a formal statement or to go to the Ba Soccer Academy to be interviewed as part of the investigation.

Patel says a notice will be sent to them.