BPCL play spoilsport, stage walkout

MUMBAI, July 26: The Harwood League encounter between Naval Dockyard and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (Refineries) lasted for just 35 m...

MUMBAI, July 26: The Harwood League encounter between Naval Dockyard and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (Refineries) lasted for just 35 minutes at the St Xavier’s Ground, Parel, here, today.

Refusal on the referee’s part to upheld the BPCL players appeal of a spot-kick triggered a fracas between the referee (Bhosale) and the players. The BPCL captain Sunil Azad compounded the issue by abusing the referee resulting in a yellow card. But Azad continued his verbal barrage which saw the referee giving him the marching orders.

An infuriated Azad snatched the red card from the referee, threw it at his face and led a walkout of the team.

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When the BPCL team failed to take to the ground for five minutes Bhosale blew the long whistle signalling the end of the contest. Naval Dockyard who were leading by Savio Laban’s 16th minute strike thus won the match (1-0).Interestingly, the coach of the BPCL team, Shetty has asked for a rematch. He also said that inspite of today’s walkover, their team will continue to play the rest of their league matches for `the love of the game (sic)’. The Naval Dockyard team has however refused for a rematch.

Earlier, in a Division III Chhatrapati Shivaji league match, JJ Sports recorded a convincing 2-0 victory over Antop Rangers.

Both the goals came in the second half. Strikers Pratap Waghela and Anil Waghela were the scorers.

MLWB Bandra failed to turn up for their Division I league match against Hearts Sports Club today. The match was subsequently called off.