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FC Goa forward Sifneos leaves India fearing deportation

Fearing deportation, the 20-year-old, who made a late appearance in their 3-4 defeat to Mumbai City FC, had no other option but to leave India.

Mark Sifneos

Goa, February 6: As the fourth edition of Indian Super League (ISL) began in November, 2017, expectations were high from Kerala Blasters, especially with them roping in former Manchester United assistant coach Rene Meulensteen as the head coach.

Blasters also had two ex-United players - Dimitar Berbatov and Wes Brown - as their marquee signings along former ATK star forward Ian Hume in their ranks.

They also managed to sign local stars like CK Vineeth, Rinto Anto, Sandesh Jhingan and youngster Prashanth Karuthadathkuni from the Indian player draft, while also adding promising foreign faces Mark Sifneos and Courage Pekuson which gave the squad a good balance. They were even dubbed as favourites in some quarters.

However, the wheels came off quickly as they could only manage one win in the first seven matches. This saw the Sachin Tendulkar-owned side sacking Meulensteen and bring back a similar face in David James, who was a player-cum-coach in the inaugural edition of ISL.

James had other ideas in mind though and felt some foreign recruits were surplus to his team's requirements and decided to do away some players with striker Sifneos being the first casualty.

The Dutch youngster, who played 11 games for Blasters, initially decided to to leave the country and go back to Europe.

But with the transfer window almost closing, Sifneos decided to switch to FC Goa, who were seeking a replacement for the outgoing Spanish striker Adrian Colunga.

Though Sifneos made a late appearance for Goa in their 3-4 defeat to Mumbai City, it looks as though he will have to wait for sometime before he plays again, as Blasters lodged a complaint with the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) alleging he was overstaying without a valid employment visa.

"Kerala Blasters have complained to the FRRO in Kochi that Sifneos can't be in India and play for FC Goa since his (employment) visa was issued to play for Kerala Blasters. We tried to buy time but were clearly told by the FRRO (in Goa) that he must return home or face deportation," an Goa FC club official was quoted as saying in the Times of India daily.

Fearing deportation, the 20-year-old had no other option but to leave India. He will not be eligible to play in the home fixture against ISL table toppers Bengaluru FC on February 9.

There is hope though, as according to sources, FC Goa have freshly submitted a visa application and it is expected that Sifneos will return to Indian once the visa issue is resolved.

Story first published: Tuesday, February 6, 2018, 14:16 [IST]
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