Custodio Memorial Trophy: Raia Sporting pay for ‘GFA’s fault’ in issuing player card

Panaji: The final of the much-awaited 49th Custodio Memorial Trophy, Goa’s oldest existing inter-village football tournament, can be played as scheduled on Friday, but agonisingly without the hosts Raia Sporting Club.
The final of Custodio Memorial Trophy is always played on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady of Snows on August 5. But this year’s final was in doubt after Chandor Sports Club lodged a protest against Raia Sporting for fielding ineligible players.
The protest was dismissed by the hosts, who defeated Chandor 5-0 in the semi-finals. However, Chandor appealed the decision under Article IX of the Goa Football Association’s ‘Private Football Tournament Rules’.
With the final fast approaching, the GFA special committee met on Wednesday.
Three of the four members contended that the “appeal of Chandor Sports Club needs to be upheld for fielding a player, Preston Rego, card no 13061, who was issued a players card in contravention of Article V, 3 (b) of the GFA private tournament rules, since he did not produce his Election Card with his new place of residence.”
Chandor had also contended that Raia’s Daniel Gomes is an Indian Super League (ISL) player, having played for East Bengal. The player’s contract with East Bengal ended on March 31, 2022, and with the one month cooling off period over, was free to take part in inter-village tournaments.
On the other hand, Preston, who had a valid player card issued by GFA, was found to be ineligible since the special committee said the card was “fraudulently issued.”
“The GFA Secretariat is at fault, since the card of Preston Rego is issued in contravention of GFA Private Tournament Rules Article V, 3 (b) which clearly states that the identity card issued by the Election Commission of lndia (Election Card) with new place of residence mentioned is mandatory.
“Further, there is enough prime fair evidence to show that GFA executive member Cosme Oliveira was having knowledge of the non-submission of the new election card. To add to that, another executive committee member, Anthony Pango (VP, South), was the person who collected the players card of Preston Rego from the GFA. This clearly goes to show that unnecessary pressure was exerted on the GFA Secretariat to issue the card,” the special committee said in its order on Wednesday.
Both officials are from Raia.
The GFA said the stand taken by Raia Sporting that the player played because the player was issued the card by GFA is “not at all justified.”
Chandor have been now adjudged to have won the semifinal 3-0 against Raia Sporting and will now play the final on Friday.