Bula FC Players Not Allowed on Flight After Visa Blunder

Bula FC travelled to Papua New Guinea for Round 2 of the OFC Pro League short of several players after a visa blunder by team management disrupted the club’s departure according to a Radio Tarana report.

At least four overseas players were not allowed to board the flight from the flight to PNG after failing to secure approved Papua New Guinea e-visas prior to travel, according to the reports by Radio Tarana.

The rest of the squad proceeded as scheduled, with the overseas based players noticeably missing from the team photo at the airport.

As of publication, official confirmation is still being awaited from the Fiji Football Association (FFA) or Bula FC. However, the incident has already sparked concern among fans and observers.

The travel disruption is expected to severely affect team preparations and squad balance, especially given Bula FC’s heavy reliance on overseas players, and appears to be inefficient usage of the clubs resources.

PNG e-Visa Requirements

Papua New Guinea requires citizens of certain countries to obtain approved e-visas before travel.

These visas must be granted prior to boarding, as airlines face penalties and liability for transporting passengers without valid entry clearance.

No fault is attributed to the players who were off-loaded, with responsibility for visa applications and travel documentation typically handled by team management in professional and semi-professional competitions.

Duavata News will continue to seek clarification from Bula FC, the FFA, and tournament organisers regarding the incident and whether alternative arrangements are being made for the affected players.