Churchill lashes out at Indian referees

PANJIM, MARCH 24
PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao, patron of Churchill Bros football team demanded that foreign referees be appointed for I-League matches so as to improve the standard of football in India and ultimately pave the way for the World Cup.
Churchill alleged that some referees were killing football with their biased umpiring which often stifles players from playing their normal game.
Churchill also blamed Goan referees for his team’s loss to Dempo. “The referee had marked my best players and they were not allowed to play a proper game,” he said pointing out that “even if his forward Odafa had accidentally touched the opposite team player a foul was called by the referee.”
“Ranty Martins tackled my player wrongly and no card was issued to him, whereas whenever my players would accidentally touch a Dempo player, a card was flashed,” he said.
Besides, he said “two goals scored by Odafa were denied on the pretext of off-side when they were not so, whereas when Dempo’s Beto was clearly in an off-side position, the referee would see the other side.”
“I am throwing a challenge to appoint a foreign referee and my team can win any match against the teams they have lost to at present,” Churchill said while pointing out that his team has the best coach, the best back-up team and above all, truly hardworking players who put their heart and soul in every match they play.
To drive home his point, Churchill referred to the recent match played by Churchill Brothers against Kuwait Sporting Club, the reigning AFC champs. “In that match, there was a foreign referee and he truly let the game, flourish,” said Churchill.
Churchill lamented that the Match Commissioners appointed by AIFF were only a waste of money as they have not played their role well till date as no action has been taken against any referee despite numerous complaints from football clubs.
Appealing to officials of AIFF, GFA and all football lovers to change the current trend, Churchill feared that if the situation is not changed, India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup will only remain a dream.
Our Sports Reporter adds from Panjim: Churchill’s brother, Joaquim Alemao, Urban Development Minister, who is not only the GFA president but also an AIFF vice-president,  is expected to set the ball rolling.