Gamel tells why he was red carded
The future of Vodafone Fijian football head coach Christophe Gamel is in limbo. The Frenchman said on Wednesday night that he’s going to make a decision in the next few days. “To be honest I’ve a big issue with my son in France,” he said.
“I will know in a few days. When you are separated it is very difficult.
“As I say family first than nation. What is good for you is same for me. At this stage I have to fix it.” Gamel highlighted that getting red carded is part of the job and there is absolutely no need to apologise for it.
And he is ready to make his stand when he meets the Fiji Football Association today.
The Fiji National Sports Council executive chairman Peter Mazey and Sports Minister Praveen Bala wants to be briefed by Fiji FA first before they would comment further.
This was after Gamel was sent off by the referee in the Tr-Nations International Friendly against Tahiti at the Korman Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu last Friday for arguing with the referee.
“To apologise, for what? Look, it’s part of the job,” Gamel said. “I will defend Fiji because I am employed by Fiji FA as I was really frustrated. I disagreed with the referee.” According to Gamel, it has been a difficult week because they should have played on Wednesday but shifted to Thursday then to Friday. “That’s not normal and totally unfair so the spirit is not okay.” During the game against Tahiti, he claimed he told the linesman about two hand ball incidents. Later, he vented his anger and frustration at the fourth official and got the attention of the Solomon Islands referee who sent him off.
“I was surprised even the crowd didn’t expect it,” Gamel said.
In the limelight recently for the very wrong reasons, the Pacific Games in Samoa will be an opportunity for Gamel to prove his worth and make amends.
Gamel’s Bula Boys, currently ranked 165th in the latest ranking by FIFA, will be against Solomon Islands (139), Tahiti (158), New Caledonia (155), American Samoa and Tuvalu.
Gamel is struggling to beat teams in the region after securing two draws in the Tri-Nations International Friendly against Tahiti (1-1) and Vanuatu (0-0).