IMPHAL, October 23: The 7th Manipur State League ended in a notorious manner today with SSU, Singjamei lifting the title by defeating MPSC-one of the strongest contenders of the title just a week.
Meanwhile, unhappy with the way the match was played AIM refused to accept the runners up trophy and the Rs 1 lakh cash prize.
Last year’s runners up, Manipur Police Sports Club was humiliated by SSU Singjamei by 9-1 in today’s match. Meanwhile state DGP has announced that he will assure the current players of the humiliated Manipur Police Sports Club would not play football again.
He lamented that the match seem to be fixed before-hand.
Football lovers of the state who were at the Khuman Lampak main stadium had to leave dejected after witnessing the match.
Several supporters also left complaining that the match was rigged.
The spectators also shouted the organizers to refund their ticket amounts.
It may be mentioned that SSU should defeat MPSC by a goal margin of eight to lift the title.
All Manipur Football Association president A Santoshkumar also expressed his shock with the way the match ended.
Meanwhile, Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar at the end of the first half expressed that the first half of the match had been disastrous and quite unbecoming of a football match for which the spectators have showed their anger. He further urged the players to play well in the second half.
SSU had scored 6 goals in the first half and was leading by 6-1.
MPSC’s Nilakumar who scored the only goal for his team today got the top scorer title and took home Rs 20000.
Before today’s match, Nilakumar was at seven goals with ESU’s Lamminthang Touthang and AIM’s K Naoton.
Spectators expressed that it is not about the scoreline but the way the players acted inside the field which has baffled them.
Sponsor of the league, Thangmeiband MLA, Kh Joykishan said it is quite shocking that the runners up refused to take the cup. He also expressed his unhappiness over the way the last match of the league ended. He continued that he will communicate with the organizers on how not to repeat such matches in the next edition.
TRAU took home the fairplay title.
