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Picture Credit: Twitter

Gokulam Kerala FC owner VC Praveen expressed that the AIFF’s “inefficiency” cost them lakhs of rupees after the national federation apologised to the team for its removal from the AFC Women’s Club Championship owing to the 11-day ban by FIFA on Saturday.


Indian Women’s League champion Gokulam Kerala was affected worst by the FIFA ban on the AIFF as they were not allowed to participate in the top-tier AFC club competition in Uzbekistan. “It is like pinching the baby and rocking the cradle. Because of their inefficiency, we lost lakhs,” Praveen said after the AIFF suspension was lifted. 


The 23-member team was left in Tashkent after arriving on 16 August before their opening match against home side Sogdiana-W in Qarshi on 23 August and against Bam Khatoon FC of Iran in its next round-robin match on 26 August.


Gokulam Kerala had written to the AFC to reimburse the money spent on the travel of the players and support staff and their accommodation but has yet haven’t heard from the continental body yet. “We have sent a mail requesting (for reimbursement) but no response yet (from the AFC),” Praveen said.


The statement released by AIFF said, “Indian Football is back on track again after FIFA lifted its suspension on AIFF on August 26. While we are happy with the turn of events, we are also extremely sorry for Gokulam Kerala FC's exit from the AFC Women's Club Championship due to the suspension.”


“It remains Indian Football's greatest loss in the last 11 days, and Indian Football owes an apology to the talented girls who had trained so hard for this event. We request the players, staff and club management to remain strong, and we are sure that they will bounce back once again.”


Gokulam Kerala captain Ashalata Devi also expressed her disappointment about the situation in an article she wrote in Indian Express. She said, “I feel very bad but keep feeding them positive stuff. Remind them that the government is talking to AFC and the club is sparing no efforts to ensure we play.”


“Honestly, I don’t know what is going to happen but as the captain of the team, it’s my responsibility to keep everyone in a positive mindset because if their morale goes down, it’ll create another problem for the team in case we are allowed to play at the last minute.”