Manilal ban will not affect Lankan soccer says Rodrigo
Ranjith Rodrigo, the incumbent chief of Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL says the life ban imposed on the former football chief Manilal Fernando, by FIFA will not affect Sri Lanka as an affiliated body.
“The FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have conveyed its satisfaction over the new administration of FFSL, which is an independent body sans outside influence. With that assurance the regional governing body and the world governing body of football has pledged their assistance to Sri Lanka’s development projects. In fact they have increased the amount of financial funds to the FFSL,” Rodrigo told the Sunday Times.
On Thursday, FFSL issued an official media statement revealing that the FIFA imposed a lifetime ban from football and any related activity connected to the sport on its former chief, Fernando.
“Following a two-day hearing in Zurich, the FIFA Appeal Committee has decided to impose on Vernon Manilal Fernando, a lifetime ban from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level,” the FFSL statement said.
A day later, Fernando making a public statement through his lawyers said that he has so far received only the terms of the decision of the FIFA Appeal Committee.
“Though not surprised, he is very disturbed with it. Originally, the FIFA Adjudicatory Chamber led by Judge Ekert handed down only a 8-year ban, for the same charges,” Fernando’s legal team represented by Hodge Malek - Queen’s Counsel of UK, Anil Tittawella - President’s Counsel of Sri Lanka, Andrew Tabachnik - Barrister of UK and Nithi Murugesu - Solicitor of Sri Lanka, stated.Rodrigo, responding to the developments stated that an individual’s letdown will never spoil the image of FFSL.
“Heading a sport’s governing body of a country is not an easy task. The responsibility is immense, the transparency should be crystal clear and other agendas should not be entertained. These points were not practiced though it was seen as, during the recent past.”
“But during the short period, we have managed to infuse integrity to the FFSL,” Rodrigo stated, adding the FFSL has a responsibility to abide by the values and regulations, stature, the constitution of FIFA as well as the sports law of Sri Lanka.