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Journalism of Courage
The recent soft stance by Fransa Pax has, probably, softened the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) stand on the NFL fiasco issue. Today, the AIFF’s disciplinary committee, presided over by S.R. Dev, avoided taking any decision on the Fransa-‘boycotted’ NFL tie versus Air India, transferring responsibility to another committee and to another date.
Instead, the committee deliberated on a seemingly dead issue – the Fransa-Mahindra United match – deciding that they had to uphold the result of that match (Fransa lost 1-2). The committee said after its meeting at Football House: “The result of the match stands as the protest is on a decision of the referee based on a point of fact.”
The dispute of Sporting Clube De Goa with JCT was done away with exactly the same ruling.
There was disciplinary issue of improper behaviour by Fransa officials and players during the match. Those involved have been asked to appear for a hearing.
And the Air India-Fransa tie has not been referred to the emergency committee of the League. The disciplinary committee felt that the matter did not come under its jurisdiction.
The AIFF also rejected Mohammedan Sporting’s appeal regarding the fielding of Benoy Kurruvila by Air India. “The Fransa Pax-Air India match was not abandoned or forfeited due to the fault of Air India and the suspended player and in view of the Article 20.4 of FIFA disciplinary code, the committee decided to reject the protest lodged by Mohammedan Sporting.”
