PANJIM: The Goa Football Association on Tuesday disclosed the names of around 40-odd players who have participated in the unregistered tournaments held across the State recently.
FC Goa stars Romeo Fernandes and Keenan Almeida – who played in the recently concluded I-League with East Bengal and Churchill Brothers FC respectively – are among the GFA’s list for breaching the code.
Speaking to Herald, GFA President Elvis Gomes stated, “It’s quite surprising that ISL and I-League players have been involved in such tournaments. Romeo and Keenan are among the 40-odd players whom we’ll issue the show-cause notice,” disclosed Elvis.
“We have evidence against these players playing in the local unofficial tournaments (see pics) and so we have to take an action against them. Rules are uniform for all. We can’t bend the rules for certain players,” Elvis stressed. “It’s not acceptable. We have to stop such behaviour for the growth of the players and the clubs,” he added.
Joaquim Abranches, Gabriel Fernandes, Adil Khan, Tyson Caido, Victorino Fernandes, Velito Cruz, Joy Ferrao, Aniston Fernandes, Cajetan Fernandes, Nicolao Colaco, Lenny Pereira and FC Goa’s latest signing Aaren Silva were among the others identified by the State football governing body for unethical behaviour.
“The players have to understand that they are bound to a club and an organisation. They have to seek permission and obtain ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the clubs before playing for any other local clubs. They also cannot play in an open tournament,” Elvis explained.
It is also learnt that 13 players of the Goa Santosh Trophy squad were also involved in the tournament held at Cuncolim. “These players are an asset to the State and they have a bright future. They shouldn’t risk their carrier playing in such unofficial tournaments,” Elvis mentioned stating that one player of a Pro-League club was stretched off straight to the hospital after suffering an onfield injury.
According to a source, the players had participated in an open (unofficial) tournament played in Cuncolim recently which had a prize amount of Rs 75,000 and runners-up cash prize of Rs 50,000.
With the suspension of the five officials for their participation in the unrecognised tournaments, the 40-odd players will surely face the wrath of the clubs and the State football governing body. The suspension period is of minimum one year. The similar sanctions will be imposed on the players also, if found guilty.
When contacted Sporting Clube de Goa’s CEO Victor Fernandes said, “We strictly forbid any of our players from playing in the unofficial and open tournaments. We do allow few players to play for other clubs to get match exposure.”
“If we come to know that any of our players are involved in such events we will surely take action against them,” he said.
After FIFA’s latest initiative of a clean functioning and a corruption free system, GFA seems to be heading in the world football governing body’s path for ‘the beautiful game’.
