MARGAO
Goa Football Association president Dr Caitano Fernandes has submitted a complaint to All India Football Federation Secretary General Dr Shaji Prabhakaran that Manipur fielded overage players against Goa in the Sub Junior Boys National Championship. Goa lost the tie to Manipur 0-8.
"It is with great regret that we write this to formally protest the fielding of overaged players by Manipur in our match yesterday in the Sub Junior Boys Nationals," the complaint read. "In the first half, Goa was 0-8 down, largely due to the presence of several overaged players in the Manipur squad.
"We are construed to believe that the following players looked way beyond their age. The players: Yumnan Maldino Singh, Angom Krish Singh, Soibam Drunao Singh, Meisnam Jojo Meetei, MD Wajit, Maibam Hennery Singh, Yumnan Sonamani, Md Sehejat Ali Taj.
"There is no denying the fact that there are serious age fraud issues prevalent in Indian football. The same was discussed in the meeting with FIFA representatives in June at AIFF House. Submission of birth certificates within one year birth is not full proof as even AFC/FIFA do not accept these as valid documents," said Dr Fernandes.
"We are making an appeal to kindly reintroduce MRI/TW3 tests as the only proof of eligibility for age group tournaments organised by the AIFF in future. As per Article 5.6.1 and Article 5.6.2 of the Regulations, we request you to kindly share with us the copies of their radiological examinations. Consequently, if the above tests have not been carried out, we request you to direct the above-mentioned players to undergo the necessary radiological examinations at an independent radiologist/radiology centre as per Articles 5.6.1 and 5.6.2 of the Competition Regulations.
"We are even ready to pay the amounts incurred for these tests as we believe that there is an urgent need to eradicate age group football in India from this menace," said Dr Fernandes.
