The Holcim FA Cup remains momentarily stuck in stasis as deliberations continue over whether the Police team, which refused to take part in a shortened quarter-final clash against Army, should be provided with another opportunity for title contention, sources close to the matter reveal.

Police football team manager Bernard De Silva said his side avoided that encounter due to it being only 25 minutes long, with play resuming from where their previous interrupted quarterfinal against Army was abandoned.That game was called off by referees after spectators became unruly following a decision where a Police goal was disallowed, with the score reading 1-0 in Army’s favour. “We didn’t go for the game because we want a re-match not just a 25-minute match. We immediately appealed to the Sports Minister and he asked for an independent inquiry into the matter,” Mr. De Silva said.Meanwhile Army manager Mr. Padmanathan says that his side, which had been slated to face Renown in the second semifinal yesterday, believes the initial decision to be correct and in line with the rules.

“We were leading 1-0 in the abandoned match. They didn’t come for the other (25-minute) match. We came and so we were awarded the victory. That was correct. Now we are not going to play them again,” Mr. Padmanathan asserted.The winner of the semifinal against either Renown and Army or Renown and Police will face Navy, who already booked their place in the final with a 1-0 win over Ratnam last week.

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