A long-drawn appeal procedure initiated by Salgaocar FC has proved a dampener in the ongoing I-League title race.
Salgaocar, which currently is in third place, three points behind league-leader Bengaluru FC, was docked a point late last year for fielding two unregistered players against Pune FC and Bengaluru. The Goan club then began the appeal process, which has not been resolved in the five months that have passed since.
Salgaocar’s subsequent performances on the field, meanwhile, have left it with no chance of winning the championship. However, if the disputed point is awarded to the club, the Goans will force their way back into contention.
This development means Bengaluru can only be assured of winning the I-League if it wins its penultimate fixture against Dempo at Margoa on Monday. The Bangalore club could well have lifted the trophy before Saturday’s fixture if not for the appeal. The situation also affects East Bengal, which is now second in the title race. I-League CEO Sunando Dhar explained the procedure. “Salgaocar FC has used three forums — the AIFF committee, the disciplinary committee, and the I-League appeals committee — to contest the decision,” Dhar said on Saturday.
The AIFF committee held Salgaocar guilty, after which the disciplinary committee upheld the verdict.
The appeals committee — the last available forum — will announce its decision between April 23 and April 25, he added. The conflict could further muddle the title race if Bengaluru loses to Dempo.
