Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Goa Football Association (GFA) on Monday suspended 45 players for participating in the unregistered and unofficial tournaments in the State recently.
A source close to GFA said, “The GFA has issued the show-notice to around 45 players for participating in the unofficial tournament held in the State and are suspended till further notice.”
As per the GFA letter (see below pic), the players are directed to show cause within seven days on receipt of the letter as to why further disciplinary action should not be taken against them.
The players have been asked to surrender their playing license to the GFA office and are suspended from all football related activities until further notice.
Earlier, it was only Herald who had reported that the GFA would take an action against players who had participated in unrecognised tournaments and the State governing body has lived up to their word by issuing the show-cause notice to the players. (See pic right)
The tough stand of the State football governing body came after the match officials continuously protested against the players’ participation in unregistered tournaments ever since the suspension of five match officials for officiating in such tournaments.
“It’s a universal rule. The players have violated the GFA statutes and they can’t be spared. Action has to be taken against them,” added the source.
The players include Indian Super League, I-League, Goa Pro-League as well as other lower division players.
“Bruno Colaco, Nicolau Colaco, Leny Pereira, Nicholas Fernandes, Melroy Fernandes, Cajetan Fernandes, Thappa, Brandon Fernandes, Jyotesh Palkar, Romeo Fernandes, Suraj Adkonkar, Samir Naik, Peter Carvalho, Jessel Carneiro, Latesh Mandrekar, Don Bosco Fernandes, Richard Costa, Seriton Fernandes, Keenan Almeida, Tyson Caido, Velito D’Cruz, Glan Martins, Marcus Mascarenhas, Mario Macarenhas, Jovel Martins, Micky Fernandes, Kingslee Fernandes, Agnelo Colaco, Franzil Negredo, Joaquim Carvalho, Joaquim Abranches, Gabriel Fernandes, Adil Khan, Anthony Souza, Raju Hadlankar, Melvin Lobo, Brian Mascarenhas, and Aaren Silva are among the 45 players suspended by the GFA,” revealed the source.
Goa is a footballing hub and one can witness football tournaments in every village across the State. Most of these tournaments are recognised by GFA but there are many which are conducted without the affiliation of the State football governing body
It is learnt that there are over 200 clubs registered off which 180 clubs conduct inter-village tournaments in association with GFA. However, there are many other clubs which yet organise and conduct unregistered tournament.
“There are many who organise tournaments offering huge prize money in private interest to make quick returns and also in the vested interest of the politicians,” added the source.
“It shows the large scale violations in football. GFA has to stop such tournaments and avoid the players being lured into it. The big players are supposed to be an example to the youngsters but they themselves playing in such tournament aren’t fair,” added the source.
Taking such action for the first time, the Goa Football Association seems to be heading towards reinforcing the rules and getting the beautiful game structured in the State.
