Lajong official removed from bench
HERALD SPORTS REPORTER
PANJIM, APRIL 11
Ming Larsing Sawyan (secretary and owner of Shillong Lajong) was today removed from the team’s bench by Match Commissioner Krishnamurty five minutes after the match against Churchill Bros had kicked off at Nehru stadium, Fatorda on Sunday.
Larsing, who is a member of AFC’s ad-hoc committee for development of football in India and AIFF Executive Committee and I-League Committee had been sighted on Lajong’s bench in most of the team’s matches and being an influencial figure few dared to question his credentials.
Several clubs in the I-League felt that by sitting on the team’s bench, the Meghalaya official would exert undue influence on the referees.
The Match Commissioner asked Larsing to produce his registration card as an official for sitting on the bench, which he could not do and as such he was escorted to the VVIP enclosure, which, certainly he was entitled to.
AIFF vice-president, Joaquim Alemao who witnessed the same, did not seem too happy and questioned GFA Executive Committee member Anthony Pango on the decision to shift Larsing from Lajong’s team bench. When told, that there was an objection raised, and that he did not have an accreditation card, the matter was treated as closed.
Some teams had earlier voiced their resentment at the Meghalaya official sitting on the bench in Shillong, but to no avail. It is incidents like these that call for disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, Pune coach Derrick Pereira after the match against Chirag United openly stated:
“As usual, refereeing was a major talking point after the match, as Pune felt they were denied several penalties. I m tired of speaking about the poor refereeing standards in India, but our referees have consistently maintained that poor standard in their system.”
Will Derrick also get a letter from the AIFF General Secretary? Going by the new mantra, it could be expected any time.
