AIFF to reprimand Colaco for calling off match

New Delhi: National football team coach Armando Colaco is set to be reprimanded for calling off

India`s Caribbean tour opener against Barbados under controversial circumstances. Colaco was apparently upset at the "cold reception" his players got at Bridgetown airport on Monday and the delay in procuring visas on arrival left him even more disappointed. If that was not enough, the team had to book a hotel on its own since nobody from the local football association was not there to help them out. Even though the All India Football Federation tried to downplay the issue, stating that the players were in no position to play yesterday`s match after the 26-hour long flight, Colaco`s decision did not go down well with a section of AIFF`s top brass. "I don`t think (he will be removed) but yes he will be reprimanded," senior vice-president Subrata Dutta said when asked if the AIFF would take action against the coach. He said he would raise the issue in the next AIFF executive committee meeting to be held in Kolkata on September 2 before the Argentina-Venezuela international friendly match. "I will definitely raise the issue in the next executive committee meeting. Calling off the match was very unsporting and unprofessional on his (Colaco`s) part," Dutta said. "We will examine the report he submits after the team comes back from the West Indies," Dutta added. Meanwhile, veteran India striker Bhaichung Bhutia today termed the cancellation of the match against Barbados as "unfortunate". India are slated to play Trinidad and Tobago on August 21 and Guyana three days later. PTI