SIFF hits back at Konofilia

The Solomon Islands Football Federation has called on football critic Joel Moffat Konofilia to refrain from tarnishing the federation on social media.

SIFF communication Officer, Mr Simon Abana made the call in their response to a back page media report yesterday.

In the report, Mr Konofilia described SIFF’s statement to condemn his continuous social media ranting as merely all excuses.

The clash of words follow Konofilia’s recent request to borrow some money from SIFF to send some members of his Royals Football Academy for trials with clubs in the United Kingdom.

However, Mr Abana explained, SIFF did not lend him money because Mr Konofilia did not want to reveal his Agencies in United Kingdom, saying the deal is secret.

Abana said, under FIFA regulations and statutes, SIFF is not obliged to enter into any dealings with Mr Konofilia and Royal Academy since they are not affiliated to the Honiara Football Association.

“Mr Konofilia had a project to send 3 players to England for trials, and he requested SIFF for financial support, but under FIFA regulation, his academy is not affiliated to any football body in the Solomon islands,”he said.

“That is why SIFF held back financial assistance and the story on Island Sundid not make any sense at all, he said our statement that was released last week was just excuses.”

Mr Abana said SIFF was trying its best to raise the profile of football in the country and Mr Konofilia’s continuous tarnishing of the organisation is not helping.

By: Allen Waitara.