Sports

Sports

On Marikkar’s suspension
More woes for rugby hierarchy
By Harry Jayachandra
The Singer Professional 7's Cup Competition rugby final between CH & FC and Kandy SC held on the 29th of January, had many unsavoury incidents. Many accusations were hurled and rumours spread. Following an investigation cum hearing the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Unions Disciplinary Committee decided to suspend CH & FC's Imthi Marikkar for one year. Marikkar was Assistant Coach of the Sri Lankan rugby sevens team at the time. Three players including Kandy's Nalaka Weerakkody were given two year suspended sentences.

In retaliation Marikkar in a strongly worded letter to the Secretary of the SLRFU, Fazal Mohammed, has questioned the Disciplinary Committee's decision to suspend him. He states; "the three member Disciplinary committee was constituted for the purposes of ascertaining the persons who were actually responsible for the said incident. To my understanding the only evidence given against was by one of the touch judges Kelum Sujith, who has falsely implicated me in the said incident by stating that I verbally abused him. I have categorically denied this accusation and continue to deny this, and there is no independent evidence to corroborate Sujith's story.

Fazal Mohammed speaking to The Sunday Times had this to say. "Sujith is from Colombo. He has no reason to lie. Imthi Marikkar was great player and is fine coach. But like in any sphere, if one does something wrong there is a price to pay. Once his sentence is over Marikkar can coach again. As a matter of fact we do not want to lose Marikkar. There is a lot he can contribute to develop the game".

In another extract from his letter, Marikkar has stated: "I have now become aware that those players directly involved in the incident including Nalaka Weerakkody, have despite the three member Disciplinary Committee recommending the imposition of severe sanctions (a ban of one for the three players and six months of the CH seven's team) the SLRFU has completely ignored the said recommendations and the three players have been let off very lightly with merely the imposition of suspended sentences."

Mohammed in reply said that the decision was taken in the interest of the game. "You cannot say that these players have been let off lightly. The suspended sentence means that for two years they have to be on their best behaviour. One incident and the ban will come in to effect," said Mohammed.

Marikkar clearly upset with Disciplinary Committee decision goes on to state that; "I am firmly of the belief that the decision of the SLRFU to unjustly single me out and act in this demonstrably discriminatory manner, has been orchestrated by persons with vested interests, who wield considerable control/power over officials of the SLRFU.

And as such the said decision is positively tainted with motives of bad faith and is not related to any independent, rational or lawful objective. In the aforesaid circumstances and in view of the SLRFU's wrongful, unlawful, unfair, irrational decision to impose a ban on me, in my capacity as the Assistant Coach of the Sri Lanka Rugby Sevens team for a period of one year, I humbly urge to withdraw/cancel to purported decision/determination of the SLRFU Council to suspend my services and restore me to the position of the Assistant Coach of the Sri Lanka Rugby Seven's Team for the Commonwealth Games and the Hong Kong seven's. Marikkar requests that the entire contents of the letter be placed on record and he adds; "In the event you fail to expeditiously redress the blatant and obvious wrong/injustice caused to me by the SLRFU. I will be reluctantly compelled to take all necessary legal steps/ measures to remedy the situation and explore all other avenues available to me, including making a formal complaint to the IRB, in respect of the arbitrary handling of this entire matter."

Mohammed on his part denies that there was any conspiracy or influence used to single out Marikkar. "Marikkar has to understand that as a coach he is role model. When players see their mentor acting like obviously their respect for the laws of the game and the officials who impose them, would go down. These young players may think that if their coach can do it, they themselves can break/bend the laws. How can anyone then maintain discipline?

Furthemore contrary to what he states in his letter, it was the CH trainer who started the incident by insulting a Kandy player. In addition he was not even attired like a trainer. As for taking legal steps Marikkar knows that there is an Appeal Board. Rather than taking this matter outside the Union he can make an appeal to the board.

The Appeal Board will then review all evidence and if they feel that an injustice has been done to Marikkar, they will take corrective measures. With all due respect, I feel that this is what should have been done by Marikkar in the interest of Sri Lankan Rugby," said Mohammed
The Sunday Times has learnt from reliable sources that Marikkar's letter has now been forwarded to the Appeal Board. But there is no information yet as to when a decision will be made.

Top