The management of Nongthymmai SC held a special meeting yesterday to discuss at length the ban on several ex-players of the club for match fixing in Mizoram.
The Mizoram Football Association banned 25 players last week following investigations into match fixing in the Mizoram Premier League. Nine of these 25 players had also played in the Shillong Premier League, four of whom were in Nongthymmai in SPL 2023, though not in the ongoing season.
The Meghalaya FA subsequently debarred all 25 players from playing in tournaments organised by affiliated district associations in this state. As of now there is no indication that any of these players were ever involved in match fixing in Meghalaya.
Neither of the other two local clubs whose players were named – Ryntih FC or Nangkiew Irat SC – had responded to the bans.
The four players linked to Nongthymmai are L Lotha, Chandra Tamang, C Seilenlal Mate and Rony C Lalenkima. Lotha received a life ban from the Mizoram FA, while the other three were banned for five years each.
Today Nongthymmai released a statement that the named individuals are no longer with the club.
“The management expresses that at Nongthymmai Sports & Cultural Club, we strive to demonstrate the spirit and integrity of sportsmanship and we uphold the values of the club,” the release, signed by club president B Khyriem and general secretary John C Cajee, said. “Our continued aim remains building a successful club and we are expected that our current players play this beautiful game of football within the confines of the rules and sporting conduct.”
