WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
Team Herald
MAPUSA: The schedule Goa Professional League match between Dempo Sports Club and Velsao Sports & Cultural Club at Duler Stadium was called off by the match commissioner Franky Fernandes after one team failed to get their COVID19 test results as per the guidelines and Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) followed by GFA.
While Dempo SC submitted their COVID tests reports to the Match Commissioner Franky, Velsao SCC failed to do so. The team arrived for the game without undergoing the mandatory covid tests as stated by the GFA.
Both the teams reported at the stadium where all the match officials, ball boys and stretcher boys were present so also the TV broadcasters crew members to telecast the match.
Match referee Tejas Nagvenkar was consulted along with the stadium Manager Anthony Lobo, before the game was called off.
When Herald contact GFA’s competition’s Manager Domnic Pereira stated that since Velsao SCC couldn’t not produce the COVID tests certificates, the match had to be called off where the decision now would be given by GFA Headquarters.
When contact Velsao SCC Coach Climax Lawrence stated, “GFA's Secretary Jovito Lopes in his email on April 18, had said that Covid testing was not mandatory, but on April 19 at 4.00 p.m, he had sent a fresh email that Covid testing was mandatory. Now due to paucity of time our team Manager called the GFA Secretary and asked for today's match to be postponed, so that the players could do their testing, however their request was turned down,” concluded Climax Lawrence.
After repeated calls Samir Naik-Dempo SC was not available for his comments.
The GFA unexpectedly postponed Wednesday’s both fixtures —Sporting Clube de Goa vs Guardian Angel at Duler and Salgaocar FA vs Sesa FA at Navelim ground. The dates for the same are expected to be announced in future.
However, it was noted that the other GPL fixture at Rosary Church was delayed for almost an hour but was completed.
