FSL presidential candidate Sumathipala appeals to FIFA, AFC for justice after rejection

Anuradhapura Football League president Dacshitha Sumathipala says that the decision taken by the Election Committee and Appeals Committee to reject the nomination of four people including himself for the Football Sri Lanka (FSL) elections is unacceptable.

“I and my team do not reject the three-member Election Committee and the three-member Appeal Committee that have been appointed including retired High Court judges. But we are not ready to accept the decision to reject our nomination," said Dacshitha Sumathipala at a press conference held at the Nippon Hotel in Colombo today (7).

Dacshitha Sumathipala said that the sports minister as well as FIFA and AFC have been informed about the relevant decision made unilaterally and planned by the FSL Election Committee and Appeal Committee against his side and according to the response of the international football authorities, they are ready to take legal action in the future.

Nominations were called on the instructions of FIFA to restore the administration of FSL which had been suspended. Immediate past president Umar Jaswar, former president Ranjith Rodrigo and former senior vice president and Kalutara League president Dr. Manil Fernando are contesting under the same team. Against that group, a group including Dacshitha Sumathipala submitted nominations for the FSL election recently.

The Election Committee first decided to reject the nominations of five people, including the presidential candidate Dacshitha Sumathipala, and the Appeal Committee took steps to throw out the appeals except for the Executive Committee Member candidate from Sri Lanka Schools.

“Me and my team are a good and strong team. None of them are involved in corruption or fraud. My aim is to bring football in Sri Lanka to a higher level within the next four years. I don't need help from anyone to bring it to that level,” said Dacshitha Sumathipala.

“The team is economically sound and strong. Thirty six football leagues are already with us. Secret ballot may increase our number. My victory is certain," he added. (Susil Premalal)