By Vourie Molivakoro
Copyright dailypost
Pango Green Bird FC have issued a public apology following recent media reports that suggested the club deliberately lost their final pool match to Erakor Golden Star.
Club President Max Taleo has clarified the situation, labelling the information as false and reiterating the club’s commitment to fair play and sportsmanship.
The controversy stemmed from a post-match comment made by one of the players, Jacob Thomas, which implied the team had “given away” the match to support another team.
President Taleo was quick to distance the club from such claims.
“It was never our intention, nor do we support any form of match-fixing,” said Taleo.
“The comments made were inaccurate and do not reflect the values or principles of Pango Green Bird FC. I sincerely apologize for the misinformation.”
He also rejected claims that the club only supports teams from the southern region, calling it false.
In light of the incident, President Taleo made a strong appeal to all club leaders, including coaches and team managers, to take media responsibilities seriously.
“In today’s society, media plays a major role in sports and community engagement,” he said.
“We need our leaders to assist players with media-related matters, especially during interviews, to avoid situations like this.”
Taleo also extended his apologies to the Port Vila Football League (PVFL) and fellow clubs whose reputations may have been affected by the incident.
“I understand the importance of maintaining the integrity of our league and the clubs involved. What happened was unfortunate, and I assure everyone it will not happen again.”
Despite the controversy, the Pango Green Bird FC president reaffirmed his dedication to using football as a tool for youth development and community growth.
He reflected on the club’s past successes, including their remarkable 2022–2023 season where, under his coaching, the team was promoted from the lower division to the Premier League after 15 years.
Pango Green Bird FC, a community-based club funded largely through individual support and local fundraising, remains focused on the future.
“We look forward to the next season with renewed energy, love for the game, and respect for all clubs,” Taleo added.
“Football is about unity, and we will continue to play our part in strengthening that unity.”
