Administrator’s Cup: Row over Minerva’s title win

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 30

Minerva Punjab FC, who won the 16th Administrator's U-17 Challenge Cup on Sunday, may have their celebrations cut short after a complaint was filed against the club for allegedly fielding overage players.

Minerva Punjab FC beat hosts Chandigarh Football Academy (CFA) 2-0 here today to win the tournament. Obedha Seram and Naoba Metei scored the goals for the winners, in the 26th and 66th minutes, respectively.

However, CFA filed an objection against Minerva FC for fielding three overage players. The tournament committee will take the final decision on the complaint on Monday. The players (names withheld) in question are said to be born before 1999. The cut-off date for players in this tournament was 2002.

Among the allegedly overage players, one is said to have appeared for his BA (1st semester) exam in 2017. He had scored 122 marks and is allegedly still enrolled in the same college. The second player has allegedly played for a Patiala-based club. It is alleged the third player changed his date of birth in order to get a slot in the junior squad. The documents supporting these allegations have been submitted with the organising committee. However, need to be cross checked.  

“We have received the complaint and the final decision will be taken on Monday. The documents of the players in questions will be verified thoroughly. If the team is found guilty of fielding any overage player, punishment would be given as per rules and regulations,” said Dr Mahender Singh, Joint Director Sports. 

Despite the protest, the winner's trophy was awarded to Minerva Punjab FC.

In the quarterfinals, Minerva FC had lost to Tata Football Academy (TFA). However, they still managed to sail into the semis as their complaint against one TFA player was found to be genuine. In the last edition of the championship, Minerva FC had entered the final in similar circumstances, against Cordia Southall United.

Overage drama

A similar overage drama was witnessed in the third-place match between Ideal Youth's Association Football Club, Manipur, and Haryana Football Club. The Manipur outfit defeated the Haryana team 3-1. However, after losing the match, the Haryana team management lodged a complaint against one of the Manipur players. 

The complaint was lodged at 1.30pm, but the organising committee had withheld the complaint until the evening.

In the Manipur team's win, Priyobrata scored the first goal in the 22nd minute, while Kumarjeet doubled the lead in the 37th minute. James netted the third goal in the 65th minute. The consolation goal for the Haryana outfit was scored by Rohit in the 80th minute.

Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore gave away a cash award of Rs 3 lakh to tournament winners Minerva Punjab FC. The CFA lads bagged Rs 75,000 while the Manipur outfit was awarded Rs 50,000. "If the winning team is found guilty of age fraud, the list of winners will be changed and punishment awarded as per set perimeters," said Ravinder Singh, District Sports Officer (DSO).