http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=060438
Eight Goa Pro clubs oppose AIFF's move to ban foreigners in leagues
NT Sports Reporter
Margao June 3: The Goa Football Association (GFA) today adopted a
resolution on behalf of the eight Professional League teams that "no
change in respect of the eligibility of foreign players participating in
Goa Pro league should be made. However, if the AIFF wishes to take a
decision in this respect, the Pro Clubs should be consulted in particular
as some of them have foreign player committments made since 2004-05 and
also due to regulations requiring foreign players having to be signed for
a minimum of six months whereas the NFL runs only for 3 months."
The resolution was unanimous with the clubs and their representatives as
follows: Dempo SC (Mr Manuel Rebello and Mr Custodio Araujo), Salgaocar SC
(Mr Henry Brito), Sporting Clube de Goa (Mr Peter Vaz), Vasco Club (Mr
Mario Leitao), Churchill Bros (Mr Denzil Ferrao), Fransa FC (Mr Anthony
Leo Fernandes), Raia FC (Mr Anthony Pango) and Cabral SC (Mr Carlos
Fernandes).
The GFA secretary, Mr Savio Messias told The Navhind Times that the
meeting was called at the clubs' request at its headquarters in Panaji
since the delicate issue will be discussed at the AIFF executive committee
meeting on June 8. The AIFF has sought the views of its executive
committee members whether to bar foreigners from participating in all the
domestic tournaments except the National Football League. A ban on
foreigners in Second Division NFL has already been enforced this year, and
the move to bar foreigners in state leagues was being talked about so as
to promote local talent.
The clubs resolved to inform the AIFF that no change in respect of
eligibility of foreign players participating in the GFA league should be
made, with Mr Manuel Rebello of Dempo, the NFL and Federation Cup champs
giving total backing for the same.
Mr Messias said that if the AIFF ratified its decision to ban foreigners
from domestic tournaments then it will prove detrimental, especially for
the Goa Professional League and Governor's Cup, which are the major
sponsored events played in Goa by the professional clubs. He said the
presence of foreigners in the Goa League doesn't hamper the progress of
the local footballers as only nine foreigners represented a total of eight
clubs in the state league last season of which only three were foreigners
- which is a minimum number as compared to 24 strikers on the whole
playing for eight clubs. "If foreigners were barred from local leagues it
will take away the charm from the event," a club official stated. Besides,
since some contracts have already been signed with some foreigners last
year, there would be huge financial implications, he added.
It is learnt that Mr Shivanand V Salgaocar (AIFF treasurer) will represent
Goa at the June 8 AIFF meeting in Delhi, which will decide on the
ratification to ban foreigners from domestic tournaments, a move which has
been strongly protested also by Bengal clubs and the IFA (West Bengal). Mr
Salgaocar, GFA president, did not attend today's meeting as he is out of
station. Mr Lavinio Rebello, Mr Anthony Botelho, Mr Vinod Parkot of GFA
executive committee were also present.
Meanwhile, the AIFF secretary, Mr Alberto Colaco when contacted in Delhi
said a clear picture on the foreigners issue will emerge on June 8 after
the executive committee meeting. "State associations have to consult the
member clubs and a final decision will be taken on June 8 concerning
banning of foreigners from domestic tournaments," added Mr Colaco while
speaking to The Navhind Times. When asked to comment on a resolution
passed by Goan professional clubs opposing the AIFF's move to ban
foreigners, Mr Colaco maintained: "We have not taken any decision so far.
The scenario will be clear after Wednesday's (June 8) meeting," he
reiterated.
There are strong apprehensions that the move to bar foreigners from state
leagues would find support from the majority of the members of the AIFF
executive committee except two - Goa and Bengal. There are no well
structured and highly competitive leagues in most of the other states,
which is one of the main reasons for football not being spread throughout
the country. Small wonder that the AFC has dubbed India as the sleeping
giant of Asia. "The AIFF should wake up the states where there are no
leagues or where the leagues do not attract spectators for several reasons
including poor organisational infrastructure and administration," a club
official remarked.
