AFC Fines Sri Lanka Coach Mohamed Imran for Disrespectful Remarks Against Maldives

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has fined Sri Lanka coach Mohamed Imran USD 5,000 after he made disrespectful remarks against Maldives following an AFC U20 qualifier. The AFC decided to fine the coach after the events that followed the match played in Myanmar in early September were treated as an ethical issue. The AFC acted after Sri Lanka's football federation had also decided to punish him, and Sri Lanka decided to suspend him from all football activities for two years. In the match, Sri Lanka lost 4-0 to Maldives. The coach expressed strong dissatisfaction with the referees' decisions and spoke disrespectfully to Maldivian players and officials. Sri Lanka's football federation said the coach's conduct was not something that should be seen from someone in a senior position working with young players. It said his actions were in no way acceptable and that the decision to take action was in the interest of the entire football environment. Sri Lanka lost all three matches in the tournament and finished at the bottom of the group, while Maldives secured a place in the tournament's qualifying round. Maldives and Sri Lanka are two countries with a very long football history and a close relationship. The report noted that after Maldives beat Sri Lanka in the semi-final of the 1997 SAFF Championship and reached the final, respect between the two countries increased. It added that many Sri Lankan players playing in Maldivian clubs, and assistance from Sri Lankan football received by Maldives at important junctures, are also important reasons why the relationship has strengthened.