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Published 31 May, 2006 12:00am

Soccer: Mardan Club scratched for fielding overaged player

LAHORE, May 30: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has rescheduled the ongoing National U-21 championship as the first quarterfinal could not be played on Tuesday. The last eight stage will now start at the Railways Stadium on Wednesday.

The delay occurred after Mardan Club was scratched following making it to the last eight stage.

The decision was taken after the technical committee of the tournament upheld the protest submitted by Islamabad against a Mardan's player Naimat Ullah Gul, for being overaged.

Islamabad lodged the protest after losing to Mardan Club 1-0 on May 28, but the decision was taken on Tuesday.

The decision paved the way for Lahore's City Club to qualify for the last eight with four points.

Meanwhile, the organisers also decided not to conduct wrist test of every player.

Now the complaints against suspected overaged players could be made with a fee of Rs1000 per player to the organisers, who will medically verify the player concerned.

According to the rules and regulations, in case of proving over age the team of that player will be axed from the competition.

The manager of that team will also face suspension.

When contacted, the newly appointed acting technical director PFF Major (retd) Farooq said that as all the decisions were being taken by the technical committee of the tournament and if any team filed any complaints against those, the federation would take action, accordingly.

This was the first event of the PFF following resignation of former Technical Director Mujahid Ullah Tareen after developing differences with the president Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat.

Revised quarterfinal draws:

May 31: Afghan FC v Army FC (Railway Stadium 4.30pm)

Punjab v City FC (Punjab University Old Campus Ground, Chauburji 4.30 pm)

June 1: POF v Navy (Railway Stadium 4.30pm)

2 June: Balochistan v Wohaib FC (Railway Stadium 4.30pm)

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