Football

Health Ministry stops FUTSAL team from returning home

November 4, 2019 8:14 am

The Ministry of Health has stopped the national FUTSAL team from returning back home amidst concerns the team has been exposed to measles after playing Tonga.

The Fiji side which was taking part in the Oceania Championships in New Caledonia was informed that there are fears the players and officials may have come into contact with people who may be infected with measles.

The team has been told that it may take two weeks for the side to get full clearance to jet back.

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Ministry of Health is concerned that the team may have come into contact with Tongan players as the side was not vaccinated prior to departure.

We are trying to get more details from the Health Ministry on the matter.

Head of delegation and Fiji Football Association vice president, Jiten Reddy says so far there have been no signs of anyone within the Fijian team having contracted the disease.

He says while it could turn out to be a long wait, they were working with authorities to ensure all players and officials were safe.

Reddy says the team was grateful to the Fijian community led by Damu Singh, Tomu Singh, Makarau Fiu and all other Fijian families for looking after them in terms of food and other assistance.

The recent measles outbreak in New Zealand and Samoa has seen the Ministry of Health urging all Fijiand travelling out of the country to get vaccinated for measles.

Stay with us as we will have more on this story