Xavier suffers serious injury

ADE striker Anto Xavier will be out of action for nearly three months after suffering a shin bone fracture during his team’s Super Division match against South United FC at the Bangalore Football stadium here on Monday.

Xavier was felled by a nasty tackle by South United’s Barun Oraon in the 23rd minute of the match. After being attended to by the doctor at the ground and given first aid, the 18-year-old was taken by ambulance to nearby HOSMAT. 

“The doctors conducted an x-ray and said it was a shin bone fracture. He will have an operation tomorrow (Tuesday) morning after which he will have to undergo treatment for 6 to 8 weeks, then do the physiotherapy, so it will take about three months,’’ ADE secretary Sridhar said.  

The promising player was in the Indian junior team camp starting in Goa next month but now he’s certain to miss that.

No decision

The office-bearers of the Karnataka State Football Association, Bangalore District Football Association and members of the Referee Board held a meeting, chaired by KSFA President AR Khaleel, to discuss the fate of Jupiter FC secretary and BDFA member Devoo.
 
“No decision was taken at the meeting as Khaleel felt there were differences on both sides and said they would have another meeting at a later date to sort out the issue,’’ said MS Krishnamurthy, chairman of the Referee Board.

Devoo, who was banned for a year after an altercation with referee Andrew during a ‘B’ Division match in February 2012, has been barred from entering the official enclosure at the stadium. But he was spotted in the enclosure during the KGF BEML-MEG Super Division match on December 29. 

Referee Andrew who was officiating the game refused to continue that match at the resumption of the second half, owing to Devoo’s presence. But he was later persuaded by KSFA deputy secretary SA Basheer to get on with the match.