The result of Army SC’s crushing win over Renown SC in the 2016 Dialog Champions League Super 8 Week 3 is in danger of being overturned after Army is said to have fielded an ineligible player. Army won the game 3-0.
Army were utterly dominant in this much hyped FA Cup Final rematch from last year as they ran rampant in the first half, scoring thrice through Sajith Kumara and a brace from Madushan De Silva. Renown had a day to forget as they showcased one of their worst games in recent history.
Clinical Army outclass sloppy Renown
The match was done and dusted in the first half when Army scored three to beat Renown SC 3-0 in the Dialog Champions League Super 8..
However midway through the 2nd half ThePapare.com found out, from a reliable source, that Army’s center-back Asikur Rahuman had been playing despite being yellow carded in the two previous weeks; he should have been serving a one match suspension for the clash against Renown.
After the match Renown made a protest regarding this matter which is to be taken up at the competitions and disciplinary committee meeting.
Rahuman got his first yellow card in week 1 against Air Force SC back in September, when he fouled Kavindu Ishan in the 72nd minute.
VIDEO: Rahuman’s yellow card against Air Force
Then in week 2 against Navy SC he received his 2nd yellow card in the 60th minute when he fouled Nirmal Wijethunga.
According to the rules of the Super 8 any player who has received two yellow cards in the previous games will have to serve an immediate one match suspension, which in this situation for Rahuman would have been against Renown.
However, the officials of Army SC had overlooked this important detail and included him in the starting XI against Renown. Even the match officials on the day, 4th official and Match Commissioner, had not been aware of this during the team confirmations, because if they were, they could have notified Army and avoided this unfortunate incident.
“How could we have known this? The first yellow card happened 3-4 months back. The Federation (Football Federation of Sri Lanka) had not notified us about any suspensions. If we had known we never would have played Rahuman,” a furious Mohamed Fawmy, coach of Army SC, said exclusively to ThePapare.com.
“We are a Forces side. We value our discipline. The 4th referee and the match commissioner also didn’t know. This is the sad state of Sri Lanka football. Clubs and players gets punished for the shortcomings of the Federation,” he went onto say.
According to sources close to the FFSL, it is the responsibility of the Clubs and their managers to get the details of cautions and expulsions from the FFSL. Renown avoided a similar fate as they did not allow Mohamed Fazal, who also had two yellow cards, to play against Army.
The inquiry will take place this afternoon (18th Jan) and it is highly likely that the result will be overturned and the win awarded to Renown while the player in question and manager will face further action.
