Fiji: Oceania Qualifying Round Soccer

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Media Release

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer

13 March 2001

The Oceania Football Confederation has asked me for a decision today on whether the Fiji soccer team will be able to enter Australia to take part in the Oceania Qualifying Round of the World Cup in Coffs Harbour in April. The timing of this decision is particularly difficult, given the continuing uncertainty in Fiji. I fully understand, however, that the Oceania Football Confederation now has to finalise its arrangements for the event.

If the Fiji team is denied entry to Australia, it is apparent that the World Cup event will be moved to Fiji. This would be an unacceptable result. It would deny the community of Coffs Harbour the sporting, social and commercial benefits of hosting this sporting event and it would also force the Australian team to play away from its home grounds and crowd. All the benefits of the event would be reaped by Fiji.

In the light of the above circumstances, I have decided that the most constructive solution is to permit this Fiji team to enter Australia for the World Cup Qualifying Round. This is a one-off decision. It has no implications for the range of measures taken against Fiji since 18 July 2000. Those measures, including those applying to other sporting teams, will remain in place until there is more tangible progress towards restoring democracy in Fiji.

The Government is continuing to monitor closely the direction of events in Fiji. I once again call on all Fiji's leaders to work together constructively and with a strong will to restore democracy under the 1997 Constitution.

Media inquiries: Matt Francis (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 /
Julie McDonald (Departmental) 02 6261 2534

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