AIFF declares Fransa president 'persona non grata'

New Delhi, Feb 23 (UNI) The All India Football Federation (AIFF) today declared Fransa Pax president Mickey Pacheco ''persona non grata'' alleging that he had brought ''disrepute'' to the game, league and AIFF.

While the federation allowed the Goan club to continue playing in the 10th ONGC National Football League (NFL), it took strong exception to Mr Pacheco's remarks and behaviour in the recent Fransa-AIFF spat.

''The president of the Fransa Pax Football Club, Mr Mickey Pacheco, whose actions and statements have brought disrepute to the game of football, the NFL and the AIFF, is declared persona non grata,'' a federation release said.

The decision, taken by AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, has effectively clipped Mr Pacheco's wings barring him to correspond or act on club's behalf with the federation or the NFL committee.

The release also said Mr Pacheco would not be allowed to register as one of the officials with the NFL or the AIFF.

''He shall not be permitted by match commissioner and/or LOC to attend Managers Meetings the NFL and shall not be permitted to receive any trophy or award on behalf of the club in AIFF organised or AIFF registered tournaments in any part of India, until further notice,'' the release added.

Meanwhile, Fransa Pax will resume their campaign with the match against Air India and will play against Sporting Club de Goa and Salgaocar subsequently.

The decision has come close on the heels of the club apologising ''unconditionally'' before the disciplinary committee of AIFF for whatever happened on the field on January 30 during their match against Mahindra United.

In protest to a spot kick awarded by the referee to Mahindra in that match, Mr Pacheco, who is also a minister in the Goa government, had threatened that his club would pull out of the league.

UNI DH SC KN1742