Aiyaz Mohammed Musa Umarji has formally withdrawn his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), effectively concluding the ongoing dispute regarding his eligibility to hold office in the Fiji Football Association (FFA). This withdrawal puts an end to the controversy that stemmed from Musa’s earlier disqualification by the FFA due to a serious criminal conviction involving the importation of pseudoephedrine.
The FFA has consistently upheld that any offense of this nature breaches the integrity standards mandated for football officials. Following the withdrawal of his appeal, the CAS will now only need to determine costs associated with the case, and the provisional order that had previously allowed Musa to contest in the elections has expired, confirming that he was never declared elected by the FFA.
The association reiterated the significance of Article 46(6) of its statutes, which aims to safeguard credibility and trust within football governance. With the situation now settled, the FFA plans to conduct a thorough review of related statements and actions, referring any potential breaches to its Ethics Committee.
The FFA remains dedicated to maintaining transparency and ethical leadership in its administration, despite the challenges presented by Musa’s case. This chapter in Fijian football governance highlights the importance of strict adherence to ethical standards, and the FFA’s commitment to these principles is expected to foster a more reputable environment for all stakeholders involved in the sport.
This current resolution provides an opportunity for the FFA to focus on revitalizing its governance and enhancing the integrity of football in Fiji, paving the way for a bright future in the sport. The proactive approach in addressing ethical concerns signals a hopeful outlook for both the organization and its community moving forward.