PANAJI: It’s all over for Gokulam Kerala FC. Whatever little hopes the Indian Women’s League (IWL) champions had of taking part in the AFC Women’s Club Championship in Uzbekistan ended after the sports ministry, which was in talks with FIFA and AFC, told them they have to return home without taking part in the tournament.
It’s a cruel blow for the Indian champions who had landed in Taskhent on Tuesday morning, only to be greeted by the news that FIFA has banned India.
“We have been forced to come back,” club president VC Praveen told TOI on Saturday. “Without the ban being lifted, we cannot take part in the competition. We are now looking to book tickets to return home.”
Jordanian Orthodox Club have pulled out of the pilot tournament, leaving the organisers with just two teams, both of whom will now play amongst themselves for a place in the final between winners of east and west zone.
