PANJIM: There have been plenty of rumours of match-fixing in Goan football. In 2020 AFC red flagged a series of matches played in Goa Professional League, where the State association constituted a committee but didn’t draw to any conclusion.
Whether the six matches were fixed or not, nothing had been proved in the last two years. The findings of the investigation? Only the State association would know the progress. No one heard of the investigation updates in the last two years.
However, the rumours and allegations of match-fixing continue to remain in the air. Many accused the Goa Pro League, now rebranded as Super League and relegation league games are still being fixed for a considerable amount. However, nothing proved so far.
“If that is so, I feel it’s a disease which entered Goan football,” stated Padma Shri Brahmanad Sankhwalkar during Sports Talkies episode on Herald TV.
“I don’t know whether anyone is involved or not. But one thing, I personally feel, we cannot have the same agency to look into the matter. We need to have a serious agency to look after this (fixing). If it exists, it has to stop once and for all. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have a big future,” stated the Arjuna Awardee and Goan football legend.
No former footballers would ever want the ‘beautiful game’ to be ugly with a tag of fixing. Dr Savio Fernandes, a former professional footballer and now Director of Physical Education at MES College stated that if it’s proven then it could destroy football at any level.
“Goa is a small State, It can easily destroy us. We have to take stringent measures to find out if match-fixing exists. We definitely need outside agency to find out and to put an end to it (Match-fixing). To save Goan football, if match-fixing is there, it has to end,” stated Fernandes.
Brahamanad highlighted that earlier, because of Goan Club’s participation in Ileague, nearly 60-75 local players were getting the exposure. Savio, who represented India at futsal, felt that the players should change their approach. “There are many players who weren’t getting opportunities in Goa and hence went out. Goan players (who don’t get opportunities in Goa) should consider and explore, and try under different coaches. Players should train individually besides the regular coaching to improve and remain fit,” stated Savio, who also coaches his own team The Sports Hustle Goa.
Another issue which was discussed was the refereeing standards during the Goa Professional League. There were a lot of allegations from players, coaches, officials and fans regarding the poor refereeing standards in the State.
“Referees get the criticism all the time,” stated Brahamanand.
It’s important they train mentally so they deal with the pressure on the field. The players should be taught and educated to respect the officials first. After all, a referee is a human too. The players should play their game. The analysis of the officiating should be done by the match commissioner,” expressed the former Indian football legend. As a referee himself, Savio stated, “Mistakes happen, but blunders should be avoided as we don’t have VAR and we can’t overturn the decisions,” “Sir Franky (Chairman of referees’ committee) does his best and we make sure mistakes are not repeated again. We analyse after every match. We learn from our mistakes,” he added.
