Allan D’Cruz
Days after the Goa Football Association came cracking down on the players who participated in unrecognised tournament held in the State, ‘big clubs’ welcomed the decision of the body.
The two footballing giants – Dempo SC and Salgaocar FC – both favoured the decision of the GFA considering it as the ‘eye opener’ for all the other players after the State football governing body suspended 46 players following their involvement in unofficial and unrecognised tournaments held in the State.
Speaking on the condition on anonymity, a senior Salgaocar FC official said, “the decision of GFA is good for all; it’s eye opener for the others as well. When players get into professional contract, they are bound to the club and cannot play in such tournaments, especially the ones not endorsed by GFA.”
“It’s a good thing that GFA has brought down going forward. It’s a lesson to the players. As a club, we would have done the same,” he exclaimed.
Four of Salgaocar FC’s players –Leny Pereira, Nicholas Colaco, Brian Mascarenhas and Clencio Pinto – were among the 46 who have been suspended by GFA recently. “None of these players have asked us permission to play in any such tournaments,” the official said.
“It’s completely wrong from the players point if they complain of lack of game time as they should take rest during the off season and work off the pitch. The players should work on their diet and join the gym during this time and get fit for the upcoming season,” he added.
The tough stand of the State football governing body came after the suspensions of the five match officials for officiating in unofficial and unrecognised tournaments.
Another senior official from Dempo Sports Club who also favoured the move by the GFA said, “It’s a good move by GFA. They should come with severe law with stringent punishments so that such practices are stopped by the players.”
“We never encourage players to participate in such tournaments. It’s the highlighted clause in their contract. After signing a professional contract, the players have to act and be professional,” added the Dempo official.
Dempo SC also had few players –Joaquim Abranches, Samir Naik, Tyson Caido, Gabriel Fernandes suspended by GFA who ran out of contract at the end of May after the 2016-17 football seasons.
However, both club officials – Salgaocar FC and Dempo SC – said that top level players need to avoid such open tournaments for their own safety.
“Earlier we had many of our players loaned to Indian Super League clubs and we didn’t play these players in the Goa Professional league so that they aren’t injured and are available for the bigger league. We sacrificed our goal for their betterment. And it’s wrong from the players’ part not to take care of them,” said the Dempo official, while the Salgaocar official also had a similar thought and said, “They should think for themselves what is good and bad. This ISL season is going to be even tougher.”
Churchill Bros also had their players suspended for unethical practice and a senior official of Churchill Bros said, “If the players have violated the code, then they have to be punished.”
Senior journalist Jovito Lopes said, “Professional players registered with professional clubs must act and behave professionally as per their contracts which debars them from playing for any other club during the season of their contract.
The former GFA Executive Member also said, “It is incumbent on the part of GFA to inform regularly in the Press or the GFA site about the tournaments which are recognised. But is there a website of GFA which is active? he questioned.
“It should be duty of GFA to inform trough the press and its website about the same and issue adequate warning to players and referees also about the disciplinary action,” he added.
The senior journalist also questioned whether the Cuncolim tournament was the only unrecognised tournament and whether any action has been taken against other unrecognised tournaments.
