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IFC walked out and Valencia wins

Date: 07 October 2006 | Uploaded: 2:45 AM

They disagree with Ass.Referee Fareed as well
“I wanted to play, but the club officials decided to wait. So it is all up to them” - Larey

Male, MALDIVES - President Cup has been a very highly controversial cup this season as tonight’s game also ended with an unexpected climax. Both teams were playing extremely well especially IFC dominated the possession and were creating a lot of chances through out the game.

But it was in the 88th minute, the whole game changed from a classic game to controversial game. As Mukthaar missed a golden opportunity in Valencia’s penalty area, Valencia players hurried in their counter attack. When the ball was crossed in, Mausoom blocked and charged IFC’s goal keeper Issaq and unmarked Habeeb took the shot which went straight to the goal and referee Abeer blew the whistle for a goal.

According to FIFA rules, the keeper could not be charged or blocked inside the 6 yard box and if he comes out from that area, he would be considered as a normal player. It is believed that Issaq was charged outside the 6 yard box and referee Abeer was around 10 yards away from the whole incident and for sure he would have seen the incident.

But later on, IFC’s captain, Arif (bakaa) complained to the referee who was followed by his team mates and he was literally pushed towards the linesman, Fareed to ask his opinion. And the linesman agreed with the referee’s decision and referee Abeer took the ball to the starting spot.

After that, IFC’s officials asked the players to come out of the pitch and few players did it so. Referee Abeer then waited for a while, where IFC’s officials were complaining to the fourth official, Ali Adil. Referee, Abeer then came and asked match commissioner Hashim and it is believed that he said if IFC players do not come out to play, then to end the game.

But referee Abeer finished off the remaining time in the clock and then ended the game and when he came off the pitch the IFC officials and the players covered him. And one of the officials of IFC climbed on Abeer’s back while another player hit him. He ran to escape from them and he slipped and fell on the ground. Riot police then came and covered him and took him to the referee’s room, while all the other officials followed him.

After a while, it was announced that Valencia won the game and the man of the match was awarded to Akram Abdul Ghanee of Valencia.

Valencia took the lead early in the 5th minute from a shot taken by Shinaz outside the penalty area and close to the side line and in the 14th minute they extended their lead from a long range shot by Akram.

But later on IFC played a good passing game and forced Valencia to defend and as a result in the 40th minute they scored from a superb shot by Mukthaar.

And minutes after the start of the second half they leveled the game from a shot taken by Shareer when the ball was punched by Rameez.

IFC’s chairman, Checkmark Rasheed said that FAM has a different working methodology for the island based clubs.

“We played well in the game and it is a clear foul on the keeper. So it should have been given as a foul not as a goal. FAM always discriminate island based clubs”

IFC’s coach Lirqaam Saeed said to maldivesoccer.com that he feels that it is a foul.

“I have been involved in soccer for around 26 years and from my experience I would say it is a foul. But the decision is taken by the referee and his decision is final”

“I wanted to play, but the club officials decided to wait. So it is all up to them”

Meanwhile, Valencia’s coach Binma said that he believes that the play should continue as the foul was committed outside the six yard box.

“The game should continue. I did not see the charge clearly. But the team officials say it was outside the six yard box. So if it was then the play should continue”

Meanwhile, match commissioner Hashim said to maldivesoccer.com that the match ended as the regular time was over and as well as extra time. And he confirmed that it was not because IFC players did not agree to play.

Referee Abeer had a swollen knee and his knee was bandaged when he came out of the referee’s room around 1:15AM. National team’s doctor, Shakeeb said that there might be an internal injury as the area had swollen a lot and there was blood clot. He was then rushed to the hospital after it.

President’s cup’s first match was played last night where New Radiant and Victory had a more harsh moment on the field and supporters too involved very much in the drama. The match was abandoned and FAM is yet to make a decision.

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