January 24, 2008	Thursday	Muharram 14, 1429

WELLINGTON, Jan 23: Eight members of Fiji’s Olympic football team have been fined and banned from representing the country for five years after leaving a training camp to go on a drinking spree.

President of the Fiji Football Association Muhammad Shamsu Dean Sahu Khan said the players would be fined between 10,000 Fijian dollars (US$6,400) and F$18,000 ($11,500) and banned for leaving the camp at Lautoka without authority.

The incident occurred on Jan 12 while the players were in camp with the national team, Sahu Khan added.

“Our academy rule is no kava, no alcohol and no smoking in the academy area,” he stated.

“Eight players jumped the fence at 10.30pm and went away. They went and had drinks the whole night and came back to the academy 4.45 on Sunday morning. They will not be considered for any national commitments for the next five years,” he expressed.—AP