VANUATU FOOTBALL FEDERATION COMMUNIQUÉ

VANUATU FOOTBAL FEDERATION COMMUNIQUÉ PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & CONGRESS Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 May 2006

Following incidents at the Port Vila stadium in Vanuatu in last Saturday’s O’League match between Lautoka FC of Fiji and Tafea FC of Vanuatu, the VFF Management wishes to express deep regret that incidents and any display of violent conduct may have caused disrepute to the integrity to the President of the Republic of Vanuatu and equally to the Government of the people of Vanuatu and to the football family in Vanuatu, and the O’league Organising committee. The VFF Executive and Congress wish to state the following; i) The Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF), as a member of the Oceania Family of football and the FIFA Football Family, hereby acknowledge that violence is against the spirit and principle of football as a sport. In support of the concerns already expressed by the Vanuatu Government and the Tafea FC, and On behalf of the VFF Management and the Port Vila Football Association of which Tafea FC is affiliated to, The VFF wishes to clearly state that it condemns violence in any form that may have caused harm to the sport and, any violent intend that resulted in the assault of Referees, players and supporters in last Saturday’s match. ii) The VFF and the football family, hereby wishes to sincerely express deep regret, to the Office of the President of the republic of Vanuatu and the Government and people of Vanuatu, and to the Leader of opposition, and similarly to the National Council of chiefs for the incidents that may have brought Vanuatu’s reputation. The VFF also expresses deep regret to the President and Executive of the Fiji Football Association (FFA), Football New Zealand, and the Tonga Football Association, in regard to incidents that have may caused harm in any way to the members of their referees or players. iii) The VFF is also mindful that growing interest in football in Vanuatu has indeed brought about more challenges in all aspects of the game of football. The VFF acknowledges that the breach of security by supporters stands as a clear reminder for VFF. The VFF now looks seriously into ensuring that such incidents do not occur in the future by taking proper measures. The VFF acknowledges that while it awaits an official outcome on the matter by FIFA and OFC, it also must, in the interest of football family in Vanuatu, strive to continue to improve its capacity to deal with challenges. The VFF is requesting respective authorities in Tafea FA, clubs and the PVFA to cooperate to resolve matters in the best interest of maintaining the integrity of the VFF aspirations of Football development and the spirit of the game, and similarly to promote respect of rules and regulations of the game. Signed by President of Vanuatu Football Federation, and on behalf of VFF executive committe and congress