The Goan Network
MARGAO
The football fratenity of Goa were in a state of shock following the joint decision by Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube de Goa to pull out of I-League.
Both the clubs were disillusioned with the new road map for Indian soccer shared by the All India Football Federation and their commerical and marketing partners,IMG-Reliance.
Describing the sudden development as very "very unfortunate", Alvito D Cunha who plied his trade with Salgaocar, Sesa Goa and East Bengal told 'The Goan Everday' that whatever happened is very unfortuante. "A good club shutting down is obviously not a good thing for any one. Be it a senior footballer or a promising youngster, it's time for the All India Football Federation to reconsider their new structure and have a look at ways to bring them back to the fold," the former international footballer from Goa added.
"Salgaocar have been serving Indian football for more than six decades and has a huge following which cannot be forgetten and also of Sporting Clube de Goa who have been serving Indian football for a pretty long time and there must be a genuine reason why they pulled out from I-League," said Alvito, who lauded the Goan clubs for having sustained the sport of football for a long period.
Reacting to the pull-out, another former Salgaocar footballer Robert Fernandes who is head coach of GFDC Residential Football Academy said: "The AIFF should rethink about their proposed new structure."
Aleixo Noronha, secretary of Margao Football Club said whatever has happened is unfortunate. "Both the clubs have been serving the country for a long time and have a huge fan following. As a football fan, I would to appeal to the AIFF to address the issue and rethink over what has been happening to ensure that the clubs revoke their decision," said Noronha.
