The All India Football Federation has promised stern action if it is found that lapses by officials led to the death of Brazilian striker Christiano Junior, and also announced a memorial trophy in the name of the brilliant footballer.
Expressing shock and grief about the tragic end of Junior, AIFF president Priyaranjan Dasmunshi said the federation is determined to take "firm and appropriate decision if any lapses are detected on any part of the organisation officials, hospital management etc".
He said a competent committee, if required, might be constituted to enquire and give its findings into the incident, which would determine the ultimate action.
The AIFF secretary has been asked to collect crucial documents, like reports of the match commissioner and referee, the report of the medical committee, the attending doctor; the post mortem report, the report of the police commissioner of Bangalore as well as a statement from Mohun Bagan custodian Subrata Paul and the team's manager and coach, Dasmunshi said in a statement.
Junior died on the field while playing for Dempo Sports Club in the Federation Cup final against Bagan on Sunday in Bangalore immediately after scoring the second goal for his team and colliding with rival custodian Subrata Paul.
The AIFF chief was critical of the match referee for being very casual about the incident, which led to Junior's death.
"The referee's report should have been more appropriate, in detail along with the match commissioner's report and I gather from the secretary that the referee's report mentioned it as an incident in routine manner," Dasmunshi said.
He said that after collecting all relevant documents the federation might consider appropriate investigation by any competent agency, including football's world governing body, FIFA.
"If any neglect or dereliction of duties and accountability at any part are identified, transparent and objective decision shall be taken without any compromise to any quarter," he said.
He also said FIFA's medical committee is in touch with the federation secretary to collect information.
He, however, urged all not to indulge in any blame game before firmly ascertaining the reasons of the entire episode.
Dasmunshi said the AIFF has decided to dedicate a 'Junior Memorial Award', which would be presented to the most outstanding footballer in the Federation Cup every year.
The federation has also decided to immediately contribute Rs 300,000 to the family of Junior and also appealed to all the state football associations in the country to contribute to a welfare fund which would be given to Junior's family before the National football league.
© 2024 Rediff.com -