Fransa chief declared persona non grata

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February 23, 2006 19:50 IST

The All India Football Federation on Thursday declared Fransa Pax president Mickey Pacheco 'persona non grata', alleging that he had brought ''disrepute'' to the game, league and AIFF.

While the federation allowed the Goan club to continue playing in the 10th ONGC National Football League, it took strong exception to Pacheco's remarks and behaviour in the recent Fransa-AIFF spat.

''The president of the Fransa Pax Football Club, Mr Mickey Pacheco, whose actions and statements have brought disrepute to the game of football, the NFL and the AIFF, is declared persona non grata,'' a statement from the federation said.

The decision, taken by AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, has effectively clipped Pacheco's wings. It bars him from corresponding or acting on the club's behalf with the federation or NFL committee.

The statement also said Pacheco would not be allowed to register as one of the officials with the NFL or AIFF.

''He shall not be permitted by the match commissioner and/or LOC to attend Managers Meetings the NFL and shall not be permitted to receive any trophy or award on behalf of the club in AIFF-organised or AIFF registered tournaments in any part of India, until further notice,'' the statement added.

Meanwhile, Fransa Pax will resume their NFL campaign with a match against Air India and play Sporting Club de Goa and Salgaocar subsequently.

The decision came close on the heels of the club apologizing ''unconditionally'' before the disciplinary committee of the AIFF for whatever happened on the field on January 30 during their match against Mahindra United.

Protesting against a spot-kick awarded by the referee to Mahindra in that match, Pacheco, who is also a minister in the Goa government, had threatened that his club would pull out of the league.

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