The Hindu : Sport / Football : AIFF suspends Bagan's goalkeeper

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 09, 2004

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Sport - Football

AIFF suspends Bagan's goalkeeper

KOLKATA, DEC. 8. The All India Football Federation has suspended Mohun Bagan's goalkeeper Subrata Paul after the tragic death of Dempo striker Cristiano Junior while the young custodian claimed innocence saying he had no intention to hurt the Brazilian.

In a faxed message to the Indian Football Association, AIFF said it has suspended Paul with immediate effect from Tuesday, IFA secretary Subrata Dutta said on Wednesday. AIFF has also asked the player to explain his on field behaviour during the December 5 final of the Federation Cup before December 20, he said.

Stating that the IFA has already forwarded the letter to Paul's club, Dutta said, ``AIFF's disciplinary committee will hold a meeting after getting Paul's explanation along with the reports from the referee and the match commissioner. Then a decision will be taken on the matter.''

Paul who returned to the city along with his teammates late last night, claimed innocence saying, ``I never intended to hurt him, but only went for the ball.''

``I'm also feeling terribly shocked after his death,'' he said but questioned the logic behind his suspension. ``What crime have I committed so as to face such punishment?''

``If the AIFF punishes me, then no goalkeeper will have the courage to go for a 50:50 ball,'' the Bagan goalie said. His club, however, asked the Federation to clarify the reason for imposing the suspension on the player, pointing out that Paul was never booked or warned by the referee S.M. Balu during the match in Bangalore. — PTI

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