The All India Football Federation has confirmed Goa as the winner of this year's Santosh Trophy football championships, while at the same time deciding to consult the Asian Football Confederation's referee committee on the All Manipur Football Association's complaint against match officials in the controversial Manipur-Goa quarter-final tie, the Imphal Free Press reported.
The controversy, which provoked widespread protests in Manipur, figured prominently in the AIFF's annual general body meeting in New Delhi. The meeting reviewed video recordings of the match and listened to comments of the match commissioners, referee board and tournament disciplinary committee.
The AIFF general body reportedly agreed that the results of the 60th Santosh Trophy championships should not be altered but directed AIFF president, Priya Ranjan Das Munshi, to consult the Asian Football Confederatio's referee committee by 31 January 2006
Given the popular uproar in Maninour state, it is not suprising that the AIFF decided not to impose any penalty against any state player, "including, apparently, the four players against whom disciplinary action were supposed to be taken for protesting the referee`s controversial decision in the Manipur Goa tie that led to Manipur's quarter final ouster from the tournament".
The AGM also agreed that the All Manipur Football Association "shall not face any difficulty in any national tournamen" and that All Manipur Football Association players should resume their activities, including participation in all competitions.
L Ranjit Roy, secretary of the All Manipur Football Association participated in the AIFF meeting and AMFA sources in Imphal indicated that the football association would hold an executive body meeting on 20 December "to decide on the stance to adopt regarding today`s decision".
The controversy, which provoked widespread protests in Manipur, figured prominently in the AIFF's annual general body meeting in New Delhi. The meeting reviewed video recordings of the match and listened to comments of the match commissioners, referee board and tournament disciplinary committee.
The AIFF general body reportedly agreed that the results of the 60th Santosh Trophy championships should not be altered but directed AIFF president, Priya Ranjan Das Munshi, to consult the Asian Football Confederatio's referee committee by 31 January 2006
Given the popular uproar in Maninour state, it is not suprising that the AIFF decided not to impose any penalty against any state player, "including, apparently, the four players against whom disciplinary action were supposed to be taken for protesting the referee`s controversial decision in the Manipur Goa tie that led to Manipur's quarter final ouster from the tournament".
The AGM also agreed that the All Manipur Football Association "shall not face any difficulty in any national tournamen" and that All Manipur Football Association players should resume their activities, including participation in all competitions.
L Ranjit Roy, secretary of the All Manipur Football Association participated in the AIFF meeting and AMFA sources in Imphal indicated that the football association would hold an executive body meeting on 20 December "to decide on the stance to adopt regarding today`s decision".
See also: Entire Indian state revolts against referee decision (5 Dec) and Manipur to boycott Indian nationals because of ref (21 Nov)