But in FIFA, It's A Different Ball Game

Rugby may be the next best thing to religion in the islands, but it is football, or soccer as it's widely referred to in this part of the world, that probably offers a truly levelled playing field.

Under FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), which happens to be the second largest sporting body in the world after the Olympics, all members have equal voting rights. Each member can also serve in FIFA's Executive Committee and on the FIFA Board.

"Tonga and Cook Islands have the same voting rights as England, Brazil and other giant soccer nations," explains ŒAhongalu Fusimalohi, of Tonga, currently a FIFA executive committee member.

"All countries are the same, no matter the size. IRB on the other hand is a joke. Everybody has equal rights in FIFA and anyone can be elected to the FIFA Board which is where I am at the moment."

Fiji's Doctor Mohammed Sam-su-Dean Sahu Khan, president of the Fiji Football Association as well his Solomon Islands counterpart Adrian Wickham have also served on FIFA.

In 2002, Sahu Khan was on FIFA's organising committee for the soccer World Cup in Japan and South Korea. He has also served as deputy chair of the important disciplinary committee.

But whilst everybody may be equal in FIFA, there is a disturbing trend the Pacific rugby fraternity needs to take note of and learn from. All is not well in Oceania soccer.

The facts speak for themselves. In just a matter of three years, Oceania has had four different members as its representative on the FIFA executive committee as well as four presidents, two substantive and the other two on acting capacities.

As Islands Business was told in the course of compiling this report: "We are the smallest region in FIFA, yet we seem to be the most unstable confederation with so many changes at FIFA level."

What seems to be at the root of this instability?

Fusimalohi thinks he knows the answer: "The world's beginning to see us as kids without direction and a group made up of selfish and greedy people. Our reputation is already on the brinks of collapse."

The former Tongan journalist and media manager has a very personal experience of what he's talking about. In September 2003, a special meeting of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) in Auckland purported to sack him as a FIFA executive committee member and in his place, the meeting elected Sahu Khan.

The cause of OFC's action? FIFA's decision to withdraw Oceania's one place direct entry to the FIFA World Cup in 2006.

Members, especially Fiji's Sahu Khan accused Fusimalohi of failing to put up a strong case for Oceania and called for his removal.

Fusimalohi's purported removal and replacement by Sahu Khan has however been nullified by FIFA, noting that Fusimalohi is an executive of FIFA and it is the world body that will decide on the matter, not OFC.

Rugby playing nations in the region will only hope the IRB won't use FIFA as a case in point to prove that the status quo need not change urgently, that island nations just lack the maturity and discipline to become an active world player.

Fusimalohi believes those behind his removal had motives other than what they have publicly stated.

It is no secret that FIFA executives get a golden handshake from the world soccer body.

When asked to put in writing their complaints against Fusimalohi, Sahu Khan accused the Tongan of abusing his FIFA allowance. In a August 9, 2003 letter sent to the OFC Auckland headquarters, Sahu-Khan said: There is an allegation that Ahongalu Fusimalohi has misrepresented FIFA in his capacity as OFC representative to the FIFA executive by:

• Claiming from FIFA when travelling on FIFA business for the full cost of first class airfares but travelling on business class or economy class.
• "Claiming from FIFA for extra daily and/or hotel allowances for his length away from home or for being in transit, but in fact he was away for shorter period or was not in transit."

Fusimalohi rejected the allegations. He pointed out that no evidence was ever tabled by Sahu Khan to substantiate the claims of abuse.

As if to imply that the world body is least interested in petty regional politics, FIFA in its October 17, 2003 meeting appointed Fusimalohi as one of its vice presidents, a position he will take up this year.

Ironic indeed is the fact that whilst Pacific rugby bemoans the lack of financial help from the IRB, its soccer cousins are themselves wallowing in selfish debates over personal allowances and high class travels, indicative of the jealousy and sheer greed of some.