Shree Kumari officials, players thrash referees

Lalitpur, September 27

Shree Kumari Club officials and players beat FIFA Referee Sudish Pandey, FIFA Assistant Referee Padam Bahadur Bhujel and assistant referee Yunal Malla during the Martyrs Memorial B Division League at the ANFA Complex grounds today.

The incident happened after the final whistle when the Shree Kumari officials from technical box resorted to violence protesting the decision of assistant referee Bhujel. Shree Kumari faced a 1-0 loss at the hands of New Road Team.

“FIFA Assistant referee Bhujel had waived the flag for an offside after one of the players of Shree Kumari touched at a clear offside position,” said FIFA Referee Pandey. “After the final whistle, Shree Kumari officials started punching and kicking Bhujel,” according to Pandey.

Pandey also had his hand cut when he tried to normalise the situation, while another assistant referee Malla was also beaten up. “I tried to control the officials but they attacked me as well,” Pandey said. He blamed the poor security system of ANFA for the incident.

“The incident would not have happened had there been proper security arrangement,” said Pandey.

Meanwhile, ANFA Referee Committee Chairman Surendra Sikhrakar said that they would not conduct further matches of the League. “We will not officiate tomorrow’s matches and will make further decision after ANFA Acting President Narendra Shrestha returns from Goa,” he added. “The culprits should be punished and we need security assurance to officiate matches.”

ANFA Acting President Shrestha and Chief Executive Officer Indra Man Tuladhar are currently in India to attend Asian Football Confederation Congress.

Tuladhar is the match commissioner of the game.

Currently Shree Kumari Club are at third position with 21 points, while Chyasal Youth Club and NRT hold first and second positions respectively on goal difference after being tied on 22 points.