Goa left fuming after training is interrupted by school event in Stadium
FC Goa were unable to train properly ahead of the first leg of their semi-final tie against Delhi Dynamos after the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Delhi, was rented out for a school function. Zico's side were not informed of this event, despite camping in Delhi for a week.
“FC Goa was surprised to be told on the last-minute that the ground has been rented out for a school event and the players could not train properly and on time. There was loud music, camera and video recordings and various interruptions which broke the rhythm of the practice session,” an unnamed source was quoted as saying by Goal.com.
This is the second time the Gaurs have faced such an issue. Earlier in the tournament, they were not allowed to train at the Salt Lake Stadium after All India Football Federation (AIFF) decided to protect the newly laid pitch, and Atletico de Kolkata failed to provide them with adequate training facility.
According to ISL stipulations, the visiting side must be allowed to train at the venue on the eve of their match, and considering the importance of the first leg of the semi-final between Delhi and Goa, which is scheduled to be held on Friday, Zico and co. does have a valid reason to be chafed.
In fact, it is disheartening to point out that this incidence of renting out football/sports stadiums for political and private events is not an unprecedented event in this nation.
“The ISL cannot let the erring club to just get away by paying a small penalty and get an undue advantage,” Goal.com's source added.