PANJIM: Salgaocar Football Club on Wednesday accused the Goa Football Association of taking two contradictory decisions, in an Executive Meeting held on April 28, over their demand for a shift in the venue for their First Division match to be held at Goa Velha ground.
“Our club had informed GFA on April 24 that our team will not be playing their away match in the First Division League at Goa Velha ground on April 29, against Goa Velha SC, as per GFA draw,” mentioned Salgaocar FC in a statement issued to the media.
Salgaocar FC have pointed out that the Goa Velha ground lacks basic amenities stating the following reasons: No dressing rooms and toilets (which are extremely essential for the players), ground uneven and dusty and not suitable for playing football due to which players may run the risk of injuries, ground and goal posts not properly aligned and stray animals such as dogs, cows enter the field during the match and the place is always littered with dung.
Salgaocar FC were suppose to play their match against Goa Velha SC on April 29 which was postponed to future date in GFA Executive Committee meeting.
“We had written to GFA regarding the postponement of the game solely based on the ground condition and unavailability of basic amenities,” informed Adlear D’Cruz, Salgaocar FC general secretary.
“The Goa Velha ground is in very bad condition. We are not playing inter-village match, it’s a GFA First Division match and I can’t risk my players’ injury on such ground,” Adlear expressed.
“Much to the dismay of the club, a letter was received from GFA over e-mail on May 22, informing that the postponed game was rescheduled to May 24 on the same ground (see pic 1). The club replied on the same day stating that it did not have any issue about the date but the main reason was that the said ground was not play worthy due to above mentioned reasons,” said Salgaocar FC.
As per the statement, GFA replied on May 23, at 5.13 p.m after office hours stating that the club’s request for a change in venue cannot be adhered to and informed to field their team as per GFA schedule.
In the same letter it was mentioned that Salgaocar FC’s request for change in venue was deliberated at the GFA Executive Committee meeting (letter attached) where it was decided that the request could not be adhered to (see pic 2).
According to the statement, “As per GFA letter dated May 23, if a decision was taken at the GFA Executive Committee meeting that our request for a change in venue could not be adhered to, then the match should have taken place as scheduled on April 29 as per GFA draw.”
“The postponement makes no sense if we are supposed to play on the same venue. The team is ready to play on any other ground but shall not play on such ground conditions,” added Adlear.
When tried to contact GFA General Secretary Welvin Menezes, his phone was out of reach.
