Kamal Ghorui
Panaji: FC Goa have been issued a charge notice by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for improper conduct after the club delayed their AFC Champions League Two clash against Istiklol FC at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.Goa, led by captain Iker Guarrotxena, delayed kick off by approximately 15 seconds to draw everyone’s attention to the uncertainty surrounding Indian football. Those actions were reported by match commissioner Alisher Nikimbaev, prompting a charge notice from AFC for an offence under Article 57.1 of the AFC Champions League Two regulations.In his report, the match commissioner said Goa players “refused to start the match and squatted for around 15 seconds.”After the match, captain Guarrotxena was summoned by the match commissioner. The Spanish forward told the official from Uzbekistan “they did not mean to disrespect either opposing team, AFC, nor any other entity, and only wanted to draw attention to the current uncertain situation in Indian football, where the league has not yet started.”In its defence, Goa said their actions were minimal and non-disruptive in nature.“The match commenced immediately, proceeded to completion, and was conducted in a fully sporting, professional, and orderly manner,” club CEO Ravi Puskur said in the club’s response. “There was no impact on match integrity, safety, scheduling, broadcasting, or competitive fairness.”The club also said the brief action undertaken by the players was rooted in a sentimental and personal expression of concern for their professional future and the stability of the sport. “It was not intended to convey a political message or to exert pressure on any governing body or stakeholder.“There was no verbal protest, gestures of dissent, refusal to comply with match officials, or conduct directed against the AFC, the opposing team, or the match officials. At no point did the players refuse to play, challenge the authority of the referee, or require any form of disciplinary intervention,” said Puskur.Goa also noted that AFC was already fully aware of the broader uncertainty affecting Indian domestic football during this period, “a matter that has been widely acknowledged within the football ecosystem.”Goa have requested the AFC disciplinary and ethics committee to take note of the limited nature, context, and proportionality of the incident, and rule that the conduct does not warrant the imposition of any severe or sporting sanction.“In the alternative, should the committee find a technical breach, consider the mitigating factors in determining any sanction, if deemed necessary,” said Puskur.The match against Istikolol was Goa’s concluding group-stage clash, played without several foreign players due to injuries, suspensions and departures. Goa finished at the bottom of the group without a point as the Tajikistan side won 2-1.
