RAIA: “My club, Churchill Brothers, has produced more than thousand players in the State of Goa. I have spent more than Rs 500 crore for the benefit of the players and for the beautiful game of football. Churchill Brothers is the only family-run club in the world. If we have to pay players theirsalaries then we will pay,” stated Churchill Alemao at a press conference on Monday.
“A player named Sunny had complained to FIFA for not paying his salaries and FIFA banned Churchill Brothers Club from registering new players. It is not a ban on our Churchill Brothers Club,” said Churchill.
“On the issue of salary of Sunny, we will write the details about this to FIFA and we will go to the court for justice,” added Churchill.
“Sunny left our club in the middle, violating the contract and that’s why he was not paid fully,” explained Churchill who added: “We will reply to the FIFA’s letter shortly.”
“To run a team in I-league it requires Rs 15 to 20 crores for one season. The Rs 3 crores which are given by the State government is not sufficient to run a club,” stated Churchill.
Churchill criticised Aleixo Reginaldo Lawrence and pointed out that he had worked for him in the Curtorim Constituency to win the election. “Only because of me he is sitting in the Assembly,” stated Churchilll.
The late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had taken a decision to give grants to all the Goan teams participating in the I-League football tournament. Dr Pramod Sawant has also kept Parrikar’s decision intact by giving financial support to the I-league participant. Dempo, Salgaocar stopped their participation in the tournament due to mining problems in the State. Earlier – Salgaocar, Dempo, Vasco Club were disbursing Rs 10,000 monthly salary to football players. But, when Churchill Brothers came into limelight, the players were benefitted with good perks. Even my team brought good foreign players to play,” remarked Churchill.
“We will file our say regarding Sunny’s case and if we have to pay the balance amount to the player then, we will pay,” said Churchill.
