By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In a major setback to Shillong Lajong FC the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has suspended its star striker Seikhokhao Tuboi from the remaining matches of the ongoing Second Division I-League being held here.
The AIFF’s decision came after Kolkata’s Southern Samity lodged a complaint against Tuboi who was found to represent two clubs in a single season without following the process of transfer and registration.
The 22-year-old striker had played for Army XI in the Kolkata League and went on to don the red and white Lajong colours in the final leg of the ongoing Second Division I-League.
However, the AIFF dismissed Southern Samity’s complaint stating that all objections had to be made before the competition commenced. The issue cropped up again after Lajong defeated Goa’s Vasco SC by 2-1 goals on Thursday last.
As the pressure accumulated, the AIFF sought clarifications from the Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) and West Bengal’s Indian Football Association (IFA) on the issue.
The MFA, in a letter to the AIFF, stated that Tuboi had registered with Lajong in 2009 much before the commencement of the Second Division I-League. The striker then went on to play in the First Division I-League.
Interestingly, the IFA had registered Tuboi as a Lajong player when he played in the IFA Shield in March this year. But it was the same IFA which told the AIFF that Tuboi had registered himself as an Army XI player for the Kolkata League.
Meanwhile, Lajong officials have questioned the credibility of the IFA over the Tuboi suspension issue.
Lajong FC owner Larsing Ming questioned that if Tuboi had played in the Kolkata League, then why he was allowed to play for Lajong in the IFA Shield organized by the same body”
“Tuboi was with Lajong when the club was promoted to I- League and he had played for the Club in the last I-League. Now when he has resigned from the Army and sacrificed his life for football, why they want to spoil the career of a talented player?” Ming questioned.
The Shillong Lajong FC owner also clarified that Tuboi has always been with Lajong even when he was called for Indian camp trial and now they are questioning who Tuboi is.
Further the Shillong Lajong owner defended that Army is an organizational team and not a club and if the IFA has allowed him to play in the Kolkata League then they have done so without seeking inter-state transfer as Tuboi is not a permanent resident of West Bengal. It may be presumed that the suspension may not hurt Lajong’s chances badly as team is currently leading the points table in the in the Second Division I-League with 13 points. The team is almost certain to qualify for next year’s First Division I-League.