IMPHAL, July 22: The Imphal East Super Division football league match between Youth Welfare Club, Thambalkhong and the XI Star Sporting Union, Akampat ended prematurely today, due to the YWC players leaving the playground at just 49th minute of the match demanding change of the centre referee.
YWC who were already behind by one goal and facing relegation from the division protested a goal scored from a free kick by XI Star stating that they were still not prepared to face the free kick. The referee had in the meantime already allowed the goal from the free kick.
Following the referee’s decision to allow the goal, the YWC players erupted further and the situation escalated as the players tried to leave ground.
Around 20 minutes were lost in the ensuing quarrel, after which the referee called the captains of the two teams to settle the matter. However the YWC players remain adamant that they will only resume play if the centre was replaced.
The match ended as the YWC players were adamant about their demand.
The scorers of the match are Kh Romesh, Nepolean for XI-Star. The YWC players erupted on a goal scored by M Raja through a free kick in the 49th minute. The lone goal for YWC was scored by Kh Rahul in the 35th minute.
The match would however end with a 3-1 win for the XI-Star, as the referee had already allowed the last goal.
With today’s defeat and just another match remaining for them, YWC and ABA could be relegated. Both the teams have only one point from three matches. Their fates now depend on their respective last matches on July 24.
In another match of the day, YOSC, Khurai defeated KIYC, Kshetri Awang Leikai by 2-0.
The scorers are K Inao and Y Khelchandra.
YOSC with nine points with no games remaining are on top of the points table, while KIYC has four points from three match with a match remaining against YWC, Thambalkhong.