Ali Thameem
Following the statement released by Valencia, a representative of Green Streets reached out to Sidibari, vehemently dismissing the allegations of ‘match-fixing’.
Green Streets has always been about the greater good of Maldivian football, the representative said. He pointed out how Green Streets got out of their way to speed up the election process.
“We had worked in the best interest of football this past season. Green Streets had supported the FAM in every way we could.. in every step of the transitional period set by FIFA. And to launch the outgoing season of Dhivehi Premier League, no other club has sacrificed itself as much as this club… We always pledge to the FAM that we would not do anything that could hurt Maldivian Football”
– Club Green Streets representative
The “swing vote of Green Streets” was pivotal to the trajectory of the sport, he reminded. The club’s endorsement of the incumbent president, Ahmed Thariq (Tom), got the voting powers out of an electoral stalemate that eventually got the FA out of the path towards suspension.
There is “no factual or evidentiary basis” for Valencia to claim the match was intentionally forfeited, a statement released by CGS had read. The club’s inability to field the required number of players against New Radiant “was not deliberate”.
Valencia accuses Green Streets of ‘disgusting’ act of match-fixing
“The club did everything they could to meet the required number of players for Thursday”, said the Green official. “And we took ticket for Anko (Ansar Ibrahim), to bring (him) for New Radiant match.. why would we spend $400 to bring him back, if we decided not to play the match?”
“So why the double standards against Green Streets..?? with false allegations of match-fixing..!?”, asked the official. “Shouldn’t Valencia and Eagles be accused of the same??” Green Streets found it suspicious that Club Eagles were defeated 2-0 by Valencia on Wednesday night. “Anyone who watched the match (between Valencia and Eagles), would have noticed it”.
The final fixture of this season’s Dhivehi Premier League was to decide just one thing: whether Valencia or Green Streets are to be relegated to the second division.
United Victory was confirmed to be relegated before the final game week. TC Sports Club had already settled for the play-offs. Maziya had already been crowned champions, and all of the top four positions would remain the same regardless of the results.
It all came down to Thursday evening’s match between New Radiant and Club Green Streets. Valencia had done all they could – defeating Club Eagles 2-0 to equalize on points with Green Streets, and narrowing the goal-deficit to just four.
Valencia was thus backing New Radiant to defeat Green Streets with a five-goal margin. It was an unlikely outcome, yet not impossible. In the end, Valencia’s survival in the DPL depended on something they could not control.
Whether Green Streets forfeited on purpose or not is up for the FAM to decide. The Football Association of Maldives is yet to comment, or take action on the matter.
