“Totally disgraceful and a blemish on T&T’s reputation.” This is how Sports Minister Anil Roberts summed up Monday’s violent attack on linesman Glen Charles, who was struck on the head with a glass bottle by angry fan, Godfrey Adams, at the Coca Cola InterCol South Zone Final between Presentation College (San Fernando) and Shiva Boys.
Roberts, speaking with the T&T Guardian in a telephone interview yesterday said, “We will not tolerate any behaviour like that at sporting events.” On Thursday Adams was ordered to pay a $2,500 fine in three months and $9,000 in compensation for wounding Charles after pleading guilty to the attack when he appeared in San Fernando First Magistrates’ Court before acting deputy Chief Magistrate Rajendra Rambachan.
Roberts said, “I condemn this cowardly, dastardly act of sneaking up a linesman who is doing his job, whether we agree with his call or not.” The minister said an investigation into the incident and the breaches that occurred is needed.
He explained that no alcoholic beverages are supposed to be consumed during a school’s football match and sporting events and no glass bottles are allowed in a stadium. The minister added that “no spectators or unauthorised persons are allowed on the track or on the playing field, so with all of these breaches we need a proper report.”
He said he sent out a memo to the Sports Company and to all managers of stadium to conduct a security and protocol procedures exercise and to “reiterate the policy to protect citizens.” Roberts commended the police for the “swift action” in arresting Adams after his violent outburst.
He said what Adams did was “cowardice” and malicious. The minister assured that such an incident will not be repeated. Roberts called on supporters to not let T&T included in the global scourge of football hooliganism.
“We have been a bastion of brilliance of support whether win, lose or draw. In 1989 in the national stadium when T&T lost one nil to the US and that knocked us out of 1990 World Cup in Italy our supporters showed discipline, passion and sportsmanship and congratulated the US on the win. This gentleman has put a blemish on our proud sporting tradition,” he said.
Roberts said the impasse over the completion of the game has been resolved as the teams are set to meet in an encounter at 4pm today at the Manny Ramjohn stadium to determine the South zone champion.
The game will be held behind closed doors with only the teams and match officials present. “It seems like we are going to get a result, that would be the best thing for our young athletes to play the game,” Roberts added.
Source: www.trinidadexpress.com