Fransa fury spreads confusion

A day after its chairman pulled the plug on its existence, there is confusion at Fransa-Pax Football Club. Mickky Pacheco announced the club’s dissolution yesterday but today says he hasn’t told the AIFF

A day after its chairman pulled the plug on its existence, there is confusion at Fransa-Pax Football Club. Mickky Pacheco announced the club’s dissolution yesterday but today says he hasn’t told the AIFF; the federation has asked if the decision is final; the team manager says it’s an ‘‘internal decision’’ and the players are completely in the dark.

Has the club really been disbanded or is this some posturing, a bit of gamesmanship, by the chairman? Let’s begin with Pacheco, the maverick minister in the state government, for whom this club is just one of many activities. Asked today why he hadn’t informed the AIFF, he was at his colourful best. ‘‘Why should I send any f****** letter? Who are they (AIFF)? I own the club and the decision is mine.’’

Calling the AIFF “animals,” Pacheco said he was firm on his decision.

Weren’t there formalities, procedures to be completed? Pacheco snapped back: ‘‘Procedures? Ask the AIFF if they follow theirs.’’

Pacheco’s trenchant stand is somewhat undermined by team manager Anthony Fernandes, who said the AIFF had sent them a letter late in the evening asking if the club had been disbanded. It also asked Fransa to confirm their disbanding before March 27, which is two days before they play Sporting Clube in one of three incomplete matches of the NFL’s Round One.

AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco, who was quoted as expressing a ‘‘deep concern’’ for the players in a local English daily today, preferred not to comment on the issue when contacted by phone. He was driving, he said, and could not hear clearly. ‘‘Send me an email, it’s too late in the day and I don’t want to be misquoted.’’

That leaves the players, most of whom appeared unaware that there was any ambiguity. When informed about it, they were even more downcast. ‘‘Now those clubs interested in signing us will think twice’’, said vice-captain Alex Ambrose. ‘‘It’s confusing, I’ve had a sleepless night.’’

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His teammates echo his view. ‘‘Things should be finished off’’, said goalkeeper Virender Singh. ‘‘Let’s play or let’s move on.’’

Did the team practice today? ‘‘No’’, says coach Norbert Gonsalves. ‘‘We have disbanded, why should we play?’’

The confusion is summed up by Shanta Singh, who’s seen Pacheco’s theatrics before. ‘‘The way things are going on I won’t be surprised if Fransa-Pax is up and running.’’

Shanta, in his first season here, may be speaking from his heart but he’s probably wrong. One can never second-guess Pacheco but disbanding is the most likely solution Fransa-Pax have as withdrawing and then wanting to continue as a team would fetch a fine of Rs 10 lakh. This is something Fransa-Pax would not want as they already have a huge pay-off on hand.