Call has been made to Fiji Football Association president Rajesh Patel, chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf and national football coach Rob Sherman to resign.

The call came from former Lautoka Football Association president Raymond Singh after Fiji’s 7-0 thrashing to the New Zealand All Whites in the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers in Wellington.

He believes that it is time for new people with new ideas to come in and take the sport to greater heights.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, Singh said Fiji FA was established in 1938 and gained FIFA membership in 1963.

“To date, not a single qualification to the World Cup (for the men’s senior team),” he said.

“For the first time the 2026 World Cup will see on increase from 32 teams to 48 with a direct entry from the Oceania region with the runner’s up having another crack to qualify.

“This was after Australia, who was the powerhouse in the Oceania region has moved to the Asian Football confederacy since 2006.”

Singh said Fiji struggled in their pool and was able to make the semi-final, all thanks to the captain Roy Krishna.

He scored three goals in the pool games where they beat Solomon Islands 1-0, drew 3-3 against Papua New Guinea and 1-1 against New Caledonia to finish second.

Roy didn’t play against New Zealand due to injury.

Singh said Sherman should join Futsal national coach Jerry Sam and Fiji FA technical director Timo Jankowski who have resigned.

“Expatriate coaches have been the norm for Fiji FA they take up their contracts with hefty salaries only to come up with lame excuses after the losses,” he said.

“I could not understand why CEO Yusuf was quick to praise Sherman and the team after they defeated lower grade clubs without conceding a single goal during their warm-up matches.

“However, when it mattered the most the Bula Boys got a 7-0 thumping.

“The structured camping for several weeks in Fiji and three weeks in New Zealand all fell on the wayside. The result was a thrashing and an embarrassment for the die-hard football fans.”

Singh said Japan from the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) region has qualified to its eighth consecutive World Cup.

“Those in authority (Fiji FA) will surely not resign as FIFA keeps pumping millions of dollars, since they are satisfied with the hosting of tournaments like Fiji FACT, Battle of the Giants and the Inter-district Championship.”

Singh said the removal of the current Fiji FA executives rest on the two votes of each district delegates

“Even Government has no say in the affairs of Fiji FA. Now, we have to wait for another four years.

“All in all the Fiji FA executives have not delivered and its best that they make way (by resigning) for new blood with new ideas to take Fiji Football forward,” he added.