Fransa, an accident waiting to happen : Lovejoy

Kolkata, Apr 5 (UNI) Zee Sports Chief Operating Officer Gary Lovejoy today said Goa club Fransa Pax was an accident waiting to happen.

''I will not want to comment on the way it is being run. But I would say that it was an accident waiting to happen. This is also a pointer to the AIFF and us, '' he said here today while announcing the second phase fixtures of the National Football League during which 20 matches would be telecast live by Zee Sports.

''We have made huge losses due top sudden withdrawal of the club.

But it is also a pointer at the fact that the regulations would have to be tougher next time on,'' he said.

''We are delighted at the way the league has otherwise progressed so far. We have seen some exciting matches in the first phase and hope to see the same in the second,'' Gary said looking very optimistic.

He also said Daily On Air Contest would be on during the Happy Hours segment to attract the viewers.

While 16 matches would be played in Goa in the second phase, five matches would be played in Ludhiana, eight in Kolkata and seven in Mumbai.

Fransa president Micky Pacheco reportedly disbanded his team after the All India Football Federation's disciplinary committee awarded three points to Air India because of the his club's failure to turn up on match day in protest against refereeing decisions in a previous NFL match.

'' In a professional league, clubs have to apply to the Federation in order to play in the league,'' Lovejoy said.

''A club licensing system is the need of the hour in India.

Clubs have to sign a contract whereby they commit themselves to certain rules of the league,'' he added.

It was also a question for the players in the side whose future is being cast in uncertainty.

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