Fiji striker Pita Bolaitoga’s lone goal handed Labasa a 1-0 win over champions Ba in the first leg of the Champion versus Champion series at Subrial Park on Saturday.
Labasa took advantage of a red card to Ba defender Malakai Kainihewe and made the most of their one man advantage when Bolaitoga hit the back of the net under controversial circumstances.
Ba officials were adamant that labasa’s goal was scored from an off side position and Ba President Rishi Kumar lashed out at the Fiji Football Association after the game claiming unfair treatment.
The Fiji FA said the referee made the correct call.
Kumar said he felt the red card dished out to Kainihewe was unwarranted and felt his side were victimized by the officials.
Fiji FA chief executive Bob Kumar said the issue of match officials was passed at the council meeting.
"It has been agreed that we can have officials from the district who are playing playing taking charge of the match.”
Bolitoga dedicated the win to all the children of Labasa as an added celebration to their special Palm Sunday.
"Through our ability to stick to a game plan and a great team effort, we won this game.
"We just told ourselves before the game that we are to play to the best of our ability and we did that."
Labasa coach Bal Sanju Reddy said any team could become a winner now and not only Ba.
"We were confident of the win and the boys played a very good game and I am proud of them as they played according to plan," Reddy said.
He said they would still need to improve the fitness level of players.