Minerva boss banned by AIFF for racial abuse
CHANDIGARH: I-league champions Minerva Punjab FC owner Ranjit Bajaj was banned for one year from all football activity and also fined ~10 lakh by the AIFF after the federation found him ‘guilty’ of making racist remarks against a referee.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) Disclipinary Committee said this was the fourth offence committed by Bajaj within a span of year. The latest incident happened during Minerva’s Under-18 Youth League play-off match against Aizawl FC that ended in a 1-1 draw in Shillong on May 12.
According to the disciplinary committee’s finding, Bajaj hurled racial comments and abuses against referee Pyns- khemhame Mawthoh.
“We are shocked by the arbitrary decision of AIFF Disciplinary Committee to ban Bajaj for 12 months and slap a fine of 10 lakh simply because Bajaj made his displeasure about the terrible referring in the U-18 league clear to the match commissioner and officials,” read a statement released by Minerva Punjab FC on Monday.
HEENA CLINCHES GOLD
HANNOVER: Heena Sidhu clinched gold and compatriot P Shri Nivetha bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol at the International Shooting Competitions of Hannover (ISCH).
HINDUSTAN FC IN FINAL ROUND OF 2ND DIVISION
NEWDELHI: Hindustan FC secured a place in the final round of the 2nd Division League with a goalless draw against Delhi United on Monday. With the draw, Hindustan FC progressed from Group A as the best secondplaced team in the preliminary phase. Hindustan will vie with Imphal-based Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU) FC, Ozone FC from Bengaluru and Srinagar’s Real Kashmir FC for a spot in next season’s I-league.
DARUVALA EARNS FORMULA 3 PODIUM
NEW DELHI: Indian racer Jehan Daruvala began his 2018 FIA Formula 3 European Championship with a podium in Race 3 of the season opener at the street circuit of Pau in France. Daruvala was third when the race was stopped 13 minutes before schedule due to un-driveable wet conditions, sealing his podium.
THOMAS NO. 1 WITH 11TH-PLACE FINISH
PONTE VEDRA BEACH: Justin Thomas became World No 1 after finishing tied for 11th at the Players Championship, that was won by Webb Simpson on Sunday. Simpson finished a four-stroke victory with a final-round 73 and an 18-under par total of 270.