SHILLONG: The All India Football Federation’s Appeals Committee has decided to restore a point deducted from Salgaocar FC in a case revolving around the eligibility of players.
The meeting was chaired by B Diengdoh, according to the official I-League website on Thursday.
Two other members were also present for the meeting, the result of which also has implications for Shillong Lajong FC.
Indian defender Fulganco Cardozo and Australian defender Matthew Foschini were fielded by Salgaocar in consecutive matches against Bengaluru FC and Pune FC in November last year.
Salgaocar lost to Bengaluru and drew with Pune, but the AIFF ruled that the two defenders were ineligible to play as they did not go through the necessary formalities of registration.
Bengaluru and Pune were thus awarded 3-0 victories and three points each. The result only affected Bengaluru’s goal difference as they had won the match on their own merit.
However, the Red Lizards gained two valuable points.
This earlier decision has now been reversed by the Appeals Committee, which has decided that the two players were eligible to play.
Salgaocar have, however, been fined Rs 50,000 for administrative lapses.
As a result of the decision, the Goans now have 39 points, one less than East Bengal. The two remain third and second in the standings, respectively, with one match to go. Nothing has really changed for Bengaluru, who have won the title already.
The biggest blow has fallen on Pune, who have 29 points and are in seventh spot, now unable to overtake fifth-placed Lajong (33 points) even if they win their final match.
