AIFF apologises to Gokulam Kerala, owner says federation’s ‘inefficiency’ cost club lakhs

Gokulam Kerala, the reigning Indian Women's League champions, were the worst affected by the FIFA ban on the AIFF as the team could not compete in the top-tier AFC club competition in Uzbekistan

Gokulam Kerala owner V. C. Praveen on Saturday said that the AIFF's "inefficiency" cost the club lakhs of rupees after the national federation apologised to the team for its removal from the AFC Women's Club Championship owing to the 11-day ban by FIFA.

Gokulam Kerala, the reigning Indian Women's League champions, were the worst affected by the FIFA ban on the AIFF as the Kozhikode-based team was not allowed to compete in the top-tier AFC club competition in Uzbekistan.

"It is like pinching the baby and rocking the cradle. Because of their inefficiency we lost lakhs," Praveen told PTI, hours after the ban on AIFF was lifted.

The lifting of the ban on Friday will allow Indian national teams and clubs to play in competitions under the aegis of AFC and FIFA, but it was a huge loss for Gokulam Kerala as they missed out a chance to rub shoulders with the best sides in Asia. They had finished third in the last edition in 2021.

The 23-member team was left stranded in Tashkent after arriving on August 16 ahead of its opening match against home side Sogdiana-W in Qarshi on August 23 and against Bam Khatoon FC of Iran in its next round-robin match on August 26.

Gokulam Kerala have written to the AFC to reimburse the money spent on the travel of the players and support staff and on their their accommodation but yet to hear from the continental body.

"We have sent mail requesting (for reimbursement) but no response yet (from the AFC)," Praveen said.