Prince Charles Park in Nadi has been withdrawn as a venue for the OFC Champions League group stages scheduled for April 7-15 in Fiji.
OFC Head of Competitions Michael Song says the decision was not taken lightly.
“On February 12 2014, an inspection group from OFC and the Local Organising Committee, carried out a thorough evaluation of the stadium site of Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
“Following the inspection and internal meetings held in Fiji and Auckland, a decision was taken yesterday by OFC, that Prince Charles Park will not be ready to host six matches on 8, 11 and 14 April.
“Although further progress has been made on the pitch condition, the key criteria required to stage the OFC Champions League matches have not been sufficiently met.
“The safety of spectators, teams and all other visitors to the stadium are of paramount importance. OFC and the LOC therefore concluded that such a fundamental issue, as well as the risk of heavy rain and flood during the tournament, cannot be compromised,” Song says.
The Group B matches scheduled to be played in Nadi will now be played at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.
The OFC Champions League group stage kicks off on April 7 when Vanuatu club Tafea take on Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United and host-club Ba face New Caledonia’s AS Magenta.
OFC
