What happened in Manipur and Assam match in the final of the Santosh Trophy Qualifiers?

The incident that shook the Manipur football community happened on July 18, 2023, when the Manipur team faced Assam in the final of the North East Zone Santosh Trophy qualifiers. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, but the controversy erupted when the referee disallowed a goal scored by Manipur in the injury time, claiming it was offside.

The Manipur players and officials protested vehemently, alleging that the referee was biased and influenced by the Assam Football Association. The situation turned ugly when some Assam fans invaded the pitch and attacked the Manipur players and staff, injuring several of them.

The Manipur Football Association (MFA) lodged a complaint with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), demanding a match replay and action against the referee and the Assam FA. However, the AIFF rejected their plea, stating that the referee’s decision was final and that there was no evidence of any foul play by the Assam FA. The AIFF also imposed a fine of Rs. 50,000 on the MFA for misconduct and indiscipline.

The MFA felt betrayed and humiliated by the AIFF’s verdict and decided to boycott all AIFF-organized tournaments until their demands were met. They also announced that they would form their own independent football association and seek recognition from FIFA, the world football governing body. The MFA claimed they had enough support from other states and countries to form a separate entity.

The Manipur players, who had represented the state with pride and passion, were also disillusioned and angry with the AIFF’s treatment. Many of them expressed their desire to change their team and play for other states or clubs, where they would get more respect and opportunities. Some even said they would rather play for Bangladesh or Myanmar than for India, as they felt more connected to those countries culturally and historically.

The incident has exposed the deep-rooted problems in Indian football, such as regionalism, corruption, nepotism, lack of transparency and accountability, poor infrastructure and facilities, and lack of professionalism and ethics. It has also raised questions about the identity and loyalty of the players from different regions and communities, who often face discrimination and prejudice from their own countrymen. It has also shown how football can be used as a tool for political and social agendas rather than for sportsmanship and unity.

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