GFA brings state leagues to a halt over Covid fears, clubs surprised

Panaji: The Goa Football Association (

GFA

) on Tuesday temporarily suspended the

Goa Professional League

and the fifth edition of the Goa Women’s League over Covid-19 fears.

The state association came up with the decision as a precautionary step considering the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Goa.

“Please be informed that the ongoing Goa Professional League 2021-2022 as well as 5th GFA Vedanta Women’s League 2021-2022 are hereby temporarily suspended until further orders due to the abnormal rise in Covid-19 cases in Goa with the positivity rate reaching 26.43% as on January 4, 2022,” the GFA said in a statement on Tuesday.

On Sunday, the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) reported a total of 388 new cases. That number almost doubled on Monday with 631 new cases. On Tuesday, 592 cases were reported by DHS as they also declared the start of the third wave in Goa from December 28.

A total of 12 teams are participating in the Pro League while there are five clubs in the Women’s League.

On Monday, the All India Football Federation suspended the I-League after just the first round of matches in Kolkata. Over 40 positive cases were reported inside the bio-bubble.

The state leagues in Goa are not conducted inside a bio-bubble and no Covid-19 positive cases have been reported by the clubs to the GFA. Some clubs were taken by surprise by this move that will put additional strain on their finances for this season.

“This is completely unfair on part of the GFA,” said Vasco SC’s director of football Ravish Nagvenkar. “All the clubs are also stakeholders of the league. They should have taken the clubs into confidence first before announcing their decision. There are no such guidelines from the government yet to stop sporting events, that too without any cases in the league.”

The Pro League was nearing the completion of the first phase.

Dempo SC lead the standings with 19 points from eight matches. Each team must play a total of 11 games in the league stage after which they are divided into the top six that will fight for the championship and the rest will battle to save relegation.

“It is strange that none of the teams have reported to GFA with concerns of any players or officials. Nevertheless, health and safety of the team and officials is a priority,” said Salgaocar FC general secretary Adlear D’Cruz.

Last season, the state leagues were conducted behind closed doors and fans were allowed inside stadiums at a later stage.

This season, however, GFA made teams mandatory to produce vaccination certificates and there were no cases reported so far.

The Indian Super League is also currently underway in the state under strict bio-bubble regulations.

Once GFA resumes the Pro League, they must also conduct the First Division League which has not been conducted for two seasons.