Three high profile walkovers plagued the ongoing FA Cup with Champions League teams also handing walkovers adding to the 32 instances which happened before the Round of Last 32.
With the participation of 509 registered teams the Cargills Food City FA Cup kicked off for the 2015/2016 season.
Yet on the flip side an all-time high of 32 walk overs have been reported in this years’ competition with the recent incidences being last years’ Champions League side Highlanders SC giving a walk over to Brilliant SC, who were mauled by Army in the pre-quarters, while Hillary SC, who stunned Super Sun in their last 16 affair, got a walk over from Up Country Lions and Renown SC was given a free pass into the pre-quarters by Kalutara Park during the round of 32.
The FA Cup is a competition where minnows cherish their opportunity to lock horns with the big boys, expecting to cause an upset and write their names in the history books.
However, it’s disappointing to see the fact that many clubs languishing in the lower league haven’t seized the opportunity for one reason or the other.
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The biggest controversy however rises when the big clubs fail to turn up to the occasion and hand in a free pass to the opposition. Highlanders, Kalutara Park and Up Country Lions, who have been playing Division I and Champions League football for the last few years stand out as some of the massive shocks of this walk over saga.
It still remains a mystery as to why this situation took place during the crunch phase of the tournament where every team wants to have a shot at the gold.
When questioned regarding the issue at a press conference, the President of the FA, Anura De Silva stated that various team chose not to take part due to various reasons which weren’t disclosed clearly, nevertheless the FA should take more responsibility as to why various teams suddenly opt not be a part of the business end of the competition.
Match commissioner cleared me, so why the inquiry – Afis
If this situation prevails it will surely affect the impact of the competition and on a larger scale affect the sport itself. Relevant authorities have to step up and take measures to prevent such a scenario as the FA cup is considered one of the oldest knockout competitions in the world.
