WIFA to give verdict on suspended women players

The fate of the four Mumbai players, who were suspended by Western India Football Association (WIFA) for skipping Maharashtra state’s selection camp and taking part in an unauthorised tournament remains in doubt. The committee will announce its verdict on July 1.

Afreen Peerbhoy, Pooja Dhamal, Akanksha Kandalkar and V K Shrutilakshmi were in the dock for passing over the selection trial to choose the Maharashtra team to participate in the AIFF Senior Women’s National Football Championship, which was held in Paghwara, Punjab. They had allegedly participated in an unauthorised tournament in Goa, forcing the WIFA to issue a notice against them on May 17.

While the players had shown indiscipline, there is a flaw in the management that exists. The players are unaware about the transfer system as a result of the faulty communication gap.

Mumbai’s top women’s football team Bodyline FC’s captain Juhi Shah, 23 defended the players explaining, “We aren’t professional players, we are amateurs. I don’t think it’s compulsory for a player to play for the state but there should be enough communication to inform the board that the player will not be able to attend the selection camp.”

“Another discrepancy exists in the transfer system. A player is allowed to change only two clubs in a year. I’m aware of this structure but there are plenty of us who are not. They switch more than two clubs and suffer the consequences of a suspension or a ban,” she added.

“I have asked the Vice Presidents and the Chief Executive Officer to join me so that we can take further action,” said Souter Vaz, Secretary of WIFA.

“They were repeatedly told to report for the camp. Instead they took part in an unauthorised tournament. We had decided to suspend them from all football activities for an unannounced time. The committee had been busy with other events in June and now we have decided to meet on the coming Saturday to settle on what to do,” he added.