Imphal, November 21: Even as football fans across the country got ready to stay glued to their TV set for the much anticipated final match between Goa and Maharastra of the 60th Santosh Trophy, for sports lovers and football fans of Manipur it was a day of protest.

As announced earlier, a protest rally was held at Imphal today to protest the decision of the referee in the Goa-Manipur quarter final match that sent Manipur crashing out of the tournament.

Goa needed a draw to proceed to the semi-final while Manipur needed a win.

In the 86th minute of the match, Manipur scored a goal through Tomba and while the Manipur players were still celebrating the goal, Goa scored the equaliser.

This had raised a storm of protest on the ground that the referee had violated the law governing the start and re-start of a match.

The protest rally participated by sportspersons, sports lovers and leaders of different NGOs started from Khuman Lampak today at about 12 pm and made its way to BOAT where a public meeting was held.

After minute discussion, six resolutions were adopted.

The resolutions included; If the AIFF and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports refuse to rectify the wrongs, then Manipur will refrain from participating in any National Championship; If the AIFF does not make the necessary rectifications then its chief Priya Ranjan Das Munshi should resign; If the AIFF initiates any disciplinary action against four players of Manipur as announced earlier, then due pressure should be exerted on the AMFA to snap ties with AIFF; The meeting also endorsed the earlier decision of AMFA not to send any team to the U-14 (Boys and Girls) and U-19 Boys National Football championship and if needed to boycott the 61st Santosh Trophy scheduled for next year; To file a PIL against the Organising Committee of the tournament and the AIFF at a High Court, if needed; To convene a meeting of all State level sports organisations on November 28 at 11 am at Khuman Lampak Youth Centre to discuss future course of action.

Earlier in the day the rally started from Khuman Lampak main stadium and snaked through the back side of the stadium and proceeded towards Minuthong, Hatta Golapati, New Checkon and converged at BOAT at Palace Compound.

The rallyists carried placards emblazoned with the slogans, �Don't oppress Manipuri, Don't exploit Manipur sports,� �We want right judgement, punish irresponsible authority of Santosh Trophy�.

The rallyists also raised slogans demanding justice.

Referee badge surrendered: As a sign of expressing dissent against 'beyond the rule' conduct of referee Shaji Kurien in the quarter final match between Manipur and Goa, ex-National referee L Haridas has surrendered his National Referee badge to the president of AIFF.

In a representation submitted to the president of AIFF, he cited the incident of Nov 17 as shameful and unfortunate for the referee fraternity.

"Mr Shaji may be a FIFA referee but he does not know how to start a game", remarked the former referee who had conducted many national and international matches.

Deploring the shameful decision and subsequent inaction of AIFF over the matter, Haridas expressed disgust and helplessness but to relinquish his membership from the Indian Football Referee Board.

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