The Fiji Football Association (FFA) CEO, Mohammed Yusuf, has announced that players moving from district clubs to the Bula FC program will be ineligible for the upcoming June transfer window. Under this new policy, these players must return to their original clubs to fulfill their existing contracts.
This decision aims to protect the interests of the 20 local district clubs that have significantly invested in player development and have been instrumental in nurturing talent at competitive levels. Yusuf elaborated that this initiative is part of the FFA’s commitment to uphold legality and equity in its evolving football landscape. The influx of players transitioning to Bula FC and other Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) professional clubs has created challenges for local football, particularly in terms of transfer policies and regulations.
“It is going to be an unusual year since we have approximately 33 players switching their status from amateur to professional,” Yusuf mentioned. He indicated that the FFA plans to finalize all necessary regulatory amendments at their upcoming board meeting to support these changes.
“All our regulations will be approved in Saturday’s meeting on January 24, ensuring they align with transfer regulations and the transition from amateur to professional and back,” he said.
Looking forward, Yusuf expressed optimism that more local players may soon engage fully as professionals within the OFC Pro League. He noted that as circumstances evolve, these players could become fully dedicated to Bula FC’s programs, contributing to community engagement and coaching initiatives that benefit local areas.
Overall, the introduction of Bula FC and the OFC Pro League is reshaping player transfer policies and financial strategies within the FFA. These reforms signify a strong commitment to professionalizing football in Fiji while safeguarding the foundational role of district clubs in developing local talent.