PANAJI
The Goa Football Association (GFA) has suspended 14 individuals, including 13 players and a former club official employed as a police constable, following an integrity investigation into allegations linked to possible match manipulation in Goa football competitions. The Executive Committee has also decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for further investigation. The action follows an inquiry conducted by GFA Integrity Officer Sandesh T Chodankar after the matter was brought to the Association's attention by Chapora Yuvak Sangh president Praveen Dabholkar. According to the findings of the officer, the individuals had allegedly been approached by an unidentified person in connection with possible match manipulation but failed to report the approach to the GFA, as required under the Association's integrity framework. The suspensions will remain in force pending completion of disciplinary proceedings and any further investigation arising from the findings.
GFA President Dr Caitano Fernandes commended Dabholkar for reporting the matter despite the allegations involving members of his own team.
“Usually no one points out to their own team, but Praveen, when he learnt about the incident at his team, immediately reported to GFA,” Fernandes said.
He reiterated that the Association would continue taking action to protect the integrity of football in Goa.
“Match manipulations and match fixing are detrimental to football and such activities shouldn't take place. We are trying to educate and conduct workshops to avoid such malpractices,” Fernandes said. The officer's report has recommended disciplinary action, including suspension and other sanctions under the GFA Ethics Code 2021, subject to due process. The report has also recommended that the GFA approach law-enforcement authorities for a detailed investigation into the allegations and the wider concerns surrounding possible match manipulation in Goa football. The matter has assumed additional significance with one of those suspended, Mouzzan Shaikh, being a former club official and an employee of the Goa Police as a police constable. The Integrity Officer has recommended that the matter concerning his alleged role be brought to the attention of the appropriate police authorities.
Following the recommendations, the GFA Executive Committee has also decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for further investigation. The action comes nearly nine months after Dabholkar publicly raised concerns regarding suspected match manipulation involving members of his own team. The subsequent inquiry by the GFA Integrity Department has now culminated in the disciplinary measures announced by the Association.
The 14 individuals suspended by GFA
Rohan Krishna Pednekar, Akash Amrut Kudnekar, Akash Sanadi, Bhaskar Jalmi, Krishnanath Shirodkar, Vinayak Rane, Chaitan Dabholkar, Sachidanand Satelkar, Aman Govekar, Minesh Kunkolkar, Satish Kankonkar, Mouzzan Shaikh, Suraj Hadkonkar, Ronaldo Oliveira
