GPL: Churchill Bros, Guardian Angel relegated

Panaji: Churchill Brothers FC Goa, eight-time champions and one of Goan football's most decorated clubs, were unable to secure the result they needed on the final day and were relegated from the Goa Professional League (GPL).

Held to a goalless draw, Churchill finished 13th with 20 points and will compete in the First Division next season. Guardian Angel SC, who had already been confirmed for relegation prior to the final matchday, finished 14th with 19 points.

Direct entrants Bidesh XI, who finished at the bottom, are immune from relegation.

On the final day, Pax of Nagoa SC produced the most emphatic statement, defeating Goa Police SC 5-0 to confirm their stay in the top tier of Goan football. Goals from Ajay Raj, Cliver Fernandes, Adarsh Raj, Shubert Pereira and Edward Souza sealed a comprehensive victory that lifted Nagoa to 25 points and tenth place in the final standings.

Vasco SC and Cortalim Villagers finished goalless in another game, with both sides finishing on 23 points to secure 11th and 12th place respectively and retain their GPL status for the season ahead.

Meanwhile, five clubs have requested the Goa Football Association (GFA) not to relegate any team this season due to match-fixing allegations in the GPL.

The clubs -- Goa Police, Pax of Nagoa, Vasco SC, Churchill Brothers and Guardian Angel -- pointed out that the GFA ethics committee and Goa police has done a “tremendous job” in unearthing match-fixing during the GPL with 14 players being suspended.

“If these allegations are found to be true after a thorough inquiry, the results of the matches involved in which they were fixed would have to be annulled,” the clubs wrote in a letter on April 11. “The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) too has taken note of this and has issued statements to curb this malice in Goan football. If the results are not based on merit, the purpose of clubs playing in the league or any tournament will amount to nothing.

“In light of the above, we request you to consider not relegating any team which finishes at the bottom of the league table this season, so that no team suffers any kind of injustice vis-a-vis matches being fixed. This will also defeat the machinations of the ‘fixers’ and they will not succeed in playing with the fortunes of any club.”

The clubs said staving off relegation will “go a long way in strengthening the ties between the clubs and the parent body.”