Indian football team's tour of the West Indies is turning out to be a hugely controversial one as the first international friendly against Barbados today was called off after a fuming Armando Colaco protested against the cold treatment meted out to them by the local organisers. Colaco was upset that none from the Barbados Football Association were there at the Bridgetown Airport to receive the team on their arrival on Monday,sources in the All India Football Federation said. The team members were earlier promised visas on arrival but they had to wait for a few hours before getting them. There also no help came from the tour sponsors,+One. The Indian team management also had to arrange a hotel on its own. Later,BFA officials apologised and took the team to the its designated hotel,but an upset Colaco was adamant on not playing the match,sources said. The All India Football Federation (AIFF),however,maintained that the match was cancelled since the players were tired after a 23-hour long journey. Colaco felt that the change in travel schedule due to London riots left the players too tired to take the field. Due to some unfortunate logistical reasons caused by the sudden change in the travel schedule because of the problems in London,India's first international friendly against Barbados in stands cancelled to avoid undue physical strain and hardship to the players after their long flight, the AIFF said in a statement. The national coach after consultation with the AIFF general secretary,the national team director and the Barbados Football Association decided under the circumstances that the match may result in unnecessary injuries or health problems for the players, the statement said.
