Minerva FC get 3-year ban

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 18

The disciplinary committee for the 16th All-India Administrator Football Cup, which was held in Chandigarh in September last year, has imposed a three-year ban on Minerva Punjab FC for fielding an overage player in the tournament final against Chandigarh Football Academy (CFA).

The committee also declared CFA as the winner of the championship.

CFA after losing the final to Minerva Punjab FC had accused the club of fielding overage players. The fact finding committee found the allegations true and decided to impose a three-year ban on Minerva Punjab FC, the Sports Department stated in an order dated February 27, 2019. 

“The committee of jury and appeal/disciplinary committee have unanimously decided that St Thangboi is overage player so Minerva Punjab FC was debarred from the tournament for three years as per the rules and regulations of the tournament,” read the order. 

“Chance of personal hearing was also given to Minerva Punjab FC on January 17, 2019, and February 4, 2019, but nobody turned up for the Minerva side. The competent authority has decided to declare CFA as winner, Ideal Youth Academy, Manipur, as runner-up and Haryana Football Academy at third place in the 16th Administrator’s Challenge Cup All-India Football Tournament (U-17 boys) conducted by the Sports Department in Chandigarh from September 22-30, 2018,” the order added.