Mickky refuses to sign apology letter drafted by AIFF oHERALDo MARCUS MERGULHAO
PANJIM, FEB 15 - Fransa-Pax Football Club's days in the 10th National Football League for the ONGC Cup are well and truly numbered. Fransa-Pax were thrown a surprising NFL lifeline by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), but chairman Mickky Pacheco, did not hang on to it. Late on Tuesday evening, a senior Goa Football Association official met Mickky Pacheco at his Secretariat chamber, hoping to break the fortnight long National Football League impasse. The GFA official - following directions from the AIFF - met Mickky and was told in no uncertain terms that a compromise could be worked out if he apologised for his frequent outbursts against the AIFF. The official was armed with an apology letter - drafted by the AIFF - which Mickky was asked to sign, and fax it to the AIFF before today's Disciplinary Committee meeting. Characteristic of Mickky, he refused to apologise, and instead indulged in some more AIFF bashing. While confirming he was asked to apologise by signing the draft AIFF letter, Mickky said AIFF continues to live in a fools paradise. "Why should I apologise. I've only sought justice and nothing else," Mickky told Herald on Wednesday morning. "Neither the AIFF nor the GFA helps me in running my team. It's ridiculous of them to think I would sign a letter which was drafted by them." "The AIFF wants me to conform by rules? The AIFF, themselves, believe in no rules, and instead is run by (AIFF president) Dasmunshi's whims and fancies." Mickky is also reported to have made some uncomplimentary remarks against the AIFF and its bosses. The latest development indicates that dialogue between AIFF and Fransa-Pax have reached a dead end, and it should surprise no one if Fransa-Pax is shown the door. Mickky, so typical of him all through his battle with AIFF, however remains defiant. "Let them decide what to do. We are clear in what we have told the AIFF," Mickky told this paper. ~(^^)~ Avelino