-team not disqualified for fielding ineligible player
By Michaelangelo Jacobus
The ExxonMobil-sponsored New Era Futsal competition currently underway in Linden has come under scrutiny following a controversial administrative decision from the organisers, who instead of disqualifying a team for fielding an ineligible player, opted to strike off goals scored in a game played by the individual, resulting in the elimination of another side.
Playing in a decisive Group D match on Saturday night at the Retrieve Tarmac, Hard Knocks faced Turf Presidents, with the game ending in an 8-8 draw. However, during the fixture, according to tournament official Aubrey Major Jr., who spoke to Stabroek Sport, a referee stopped the game after Jermin Junor (playing for Hard Knocks) scored, due to the player not being a part of the referees’ team list. This was however cleared up by the organisers, who had allowed Junor (a guest player) to be swapped for another guest player due to severe injuries the latter sustained before the tournament began.