The Solomon Islands U-17 national team’s World Cup place is intact as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed the appeal lodged by OFC against SIFF relating to the case of player Chris Satu.
OFC, Fiji Football Association and Federation Tahitienne de Football appeal against the decision of the Appeal Committee of the OFC rendered on 3 May 2019 by which it overturned the decision of the OFC Disciplinary Committee rendered on 15 January 2019 that Chris Satu who represented the Solomon Islands in the OFC U-16 Championship 2018 held in Honiara in September 2018 was ineligible to do so because he was over-age.
Thus, after a lengthy deliberation of the case, the Court of Arbitration for Sport rules that:
1. The appeal filed by Oceania Football Confederation Incorporated, Fiji Football
Association and Fédération Tahitienne de Football is dismissed.
2. The decision of the Oceania Football Confederation Incorporated Appeal
Committee dated 31 May 2019 is confirmed.
SIFF legal representative, Don Marahare from the DNS & Partners Law Firm confirmed the ruling.
“This is to formally inform you all that the appeal lodged by OFC against SIFF before the CAS has been dismissed,” he said.
“Effectively, CAS has upheld the decision by the OFC Appeals Committee. In effect, our participation at the upcoming Under 17 World Cup in Brazil remains intact.
“I wish to take this opportunity to thank you all for the assistance rendered to me and my firm in representing SIFF at the CAS level.
“I wish our U17 boys best of luck at the World Cup.”
