MARGAO: In what might turn out to be a major goof up by the management of Dempo Sports Club, former Sporting Clube de Goa and FC Goa midfielder Pratesh Shirodkar might yet find himself without a club after an embarrassing error made by the the Golden Eagles.
According to Article 14 of the Official Competition Rules of the Goa Football Association, for a double leg league, a player cannot be registered after the first match of the second leg. It may be recalled that Dempo SC have played 12 matches thus far in the 12 team Goa Professional League winning seven matches, drawing three and losing two.
As per the Official Competition Rules, Dempo SC ought to have registered Pratesh before their 12th match in the Goa Pro league which was played on the December 14, 2019 at Dempo Academy ground, Ella.
Unaware of the rules, Dempo released an official press statement two days back announcing the Calangute lad’s signing.
However, sources at the GFA, which has also been seconded by an Executive Committee Member, informed Herald that it is not possible that Pratesh will feature for Dempo SC in the ongoing Goa Professional League.
“Dempo SC have registered Pratesh Shirodkar on the Central Registration System (CRS). This is an online system where players can be registered at any time of the year. However, to register a player on the Competition Management System (CMS), i.e., to play in the respective competition, one must adhere to the specific competition guidelines. In this case, the Goa Professional League Rules do not allow for a player to be registered after the 12th match of the league”, stated a source of GFA. These views echoed similar sentiments from an official of the Registration Department of the AIFF.
With the player now in a catch 22 situation, it remains to be seen how the Dempo management will deal with this matter.
“I will be meeting the Dempo officials tomorrow to learn about my future at the Club”, said the player Pratesh Shirodkar when contacted by Herald. It is also rumoured that Dempo SC were close to signing Vasco based striker Jaison Vaz who is on loan from South United, which may also now be in jeopardy.
When contacted a leading football agent added, “According to the FIFA and AIFF Player Status Regulations, a club is expected to honour a contract signed by a player. Moreover during the registration on CRS, it is mandatory for the club to upload a contract of the player which means, the contract signed by Pratesh Shirodkar and Dempo SC is in possession of the GFA and AIFF. Dempo SC will now have to honour the contract as per FIFA Laws.” It is believed that Pratesh has signed for an amount of Rs. 2,25,000 for five months (January 2020 till May 2020).
When efforts were made to contact Dempo SC General Secretary Patwin Fizardo, who is responsible for all compliances of the club, he was unable to reach.
However, Dempo SC head coach Samir Naik stated, “The management will decide about the future course of action,” upon being contacted about the chaos.
With clubs in Goa folding and players struggling to find employment, this goof up by the management of India’s most successful football may just jeopardise the prospects of one of Goa’s shining footballers.
