Foakaidhoo FC manager Ahmed Asif has asked for help from the new Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof.

On his Facebook page, Ahmed Asif has asked Honorable Minister Ahmed Mahloof's help. "Ahmed Mahloof Sir, please help us. Because the tournament has been extended, we could not manage from the finances that were provided under the SOE. We have no way to pay at least one month's salary for players. Like other teams, this is the situation with Foakaidhoo FC" posted Asif on his Facebook page.

Talking to BoalhaMV, Asif, who is also a referee said "differentiating between island clubs and Male' clubs has to end now. For the same offence only our(Minivan Championship team) players are punished but a so called 'big team' player, a smile should suffice. Poor performance by referees make things worse. Clubs in the same competition shouldn't be differentiated." 

Foakaidhoo FC had their star defender Mahmoud Sayed(Ramos) suspended in their last game against Maziya, in which Foakaidhoo defense clearly missed him. Ramos was banned after collecting two yellow card, the second for a supposed handball, when the ball appear to hit his back and not his hand. Foakaidhoo's appeal was dismissed as the competition do not have a proper procedure for such appeals. 

According to a Foakaidhoo official(who did not want to be named), in their first round clash against (a top club), the referee had no problem sending a Foakaidhoo official off, but did not dare to take action against three (Top Club) officials who came all the way to the Foakaidhoo technical area. "Of course these things happen in football, the ref is human, he makes mistakes. We get that, but he shouldn't differentiate. Earlier in the season Kalhoo(Ahmed Usam) was send off for swearing, but the ref did not dare to even book (a national player) for swearing at the ref.

"also about Ramos' handball against Eagles, yes it did stop a counter attack from Eagles, but the ball hit his back and not his hand. even if it did hit his hand, he was rushing away from the ball and his eyes wasn't on the ball, what i mean is, even if it did hit his hand, it was accidental, the same way as the referee stopped our counter attack and the ball fell to New Radiant who scored from that ball to win 1-0" he said talking to BoalhaMV.

Foakaidhoo FC also was in hot water when their goalkeeper Saqib Hanif was dismissed after the game for unsporting behavior.

Photo: ImagesMV