TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The rains may have caused havoc in the State but the Varca based club Churchill Brothers Football Club was hit by a hurricane as they were axed unceremoniously by All India Football Federation for failing to fulfill the AIFF’s club licensing criteria.
Valanka Alemao, CEO of Churchill Brothers Football Club, informed that what the AIFF had done was not right and it’s a sad day for Indian football. This is the worst thing that has happened to Indian football and when you kill passion you kill the game.”
“It is very shocking and shattering to see a club that has contributed to the Indian football history in the last four decades is been just thrown out like that,” she further lamented.
The Red Machines have been one of the top clubs in the country especially after the formation of the I-league. They won the I-League title in 2008-09 and 2012-13 seasons and currently the Federation Cup champions. They also had a pretty good run in the AFC Cup.
However, it is surprising that AIFF has still not told the club as on what grounds they have been axed from the I-league.
“I’ve still not got the official reasons from the AIFF we just got an email stating that our license has been cancelled and a detailed report will follow soon. I’m still waiting for that email from the AIFF,” said Valanka.
When asked as to what will be the next step, she said, “I know for a fact that there is a right to appeal, so let me receive a detailed report from the AIFF on the same and then I will decide on my future course of action.”
“This is not the way you can snub a club which has contributed immensely to Indian football, she added.
When questioned if she will form an association with the other three axed clubs like Mohammedan Sporting, United Sports Club of Kolkata and Shillong-based Rangdajied United to take the fight to the AIFF, she concluded, “I’m done with associations, so this time around I’m going to fight for my club independently.”
