The Fiji Football Association (FFA) has announced that Aiyaz Mohammed Musa Umarji has officially withdrawn his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), marking the conclusion of his challenge against his disqualification under Article 46(6) of the FFA Statutes. This decision allows the FFA to progress and uphold the principles governing football administration, according to FFA Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Yusuf.
Yusuf reaffirmed that the FFA’s earlier decision to disqualify Umarji was due to his conviction for the importation of pseudoephedrine, which he stated conflicts with the integrity standards expected of football officials. He emphasized that such offenses severely undermine the integrity that is crucial for football governance. “Article 46(6) exists to protect the credibility of football administration, and all members and delegates are expected to uphold it,” he stated.
The organization is now set to review all conduct and statements related to the case in line with its Code of Ethics. Any breaches discovered will be submitted to the FFA Ethics Committee for consideration.
Despite the challenges and reputational issues posed by the case, the FFA is committed to maintaining transparency, accountability, and strong governance. The association will focus on upholding statutes that safeguard the integrity of football administration while striving to preserve public trust and ensure all officeholders adhere to the highest ethical standards.
With the withdrawal of Umarji’s appeal, his challenge to the decisions made by the FFA Governance Committee on May 27, 2025, has lapsed. Furthermore, the provisional order from CAS that permitted Umarji to participate in the May 2025 elections has now expired. The FFA clarified that Umarji had never officially been declared elected and will move forward with the next steps as per its Statutes.
This situation reflects the complexities surrounding leadership in sports organizations and highlights the pivotal role of governance in maintaining the integrity of sporting bodies. As Fiji Football continues to navigate these challenges, there is a hopeful outlook for enhanced governance practices that promote accountability and ethical standards in the sport.