Fifa rule puts paid to FC Kochi's hopesMay 9, 1997Indian Express
Dasmunshi said that the federation had asked FIFA for its opinion on the issue and the world body said very clearly: ``Newly-created clubs should only be allowed to compete first in the lowest level leagues for which its players are eligible, and are in no way to be given an exception, allowing them to immediately compete at the higher level.'' Armed with Fifa's opinion Dasmunshi said the club will have to come
to such tournaments through proper channel, which in other words means
they will have to start from the lowest division. ``It is not like we are
isolating them or singling them out but a rule has to be followed. The
question is whether we go by a team's standings or merely the players it
has,'' Dasmunshi explained. ``We advised Kerala Football Association that
the club is totally new and without any exposure. They should start playing
from the lower division to have at least some kind of backing. Allowing
them to play (in the Federation Cup) will destroy the age-old structure
of the Federation Cup,'' he added.
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