Uproar in the Maldives as football relegation battle decided by last-day no-show

. UK edition

Club Valencia’s Ethan Ibrahim Zaki helped them win their last game 2-0 against Eagles, but it was not enough for them to stay up.
Club Valencia’s Ethan Ibrahim Zaki helped them win their last game 2-0 against Eagles, but it was not enough for them to stay up. Photograph: Dhivehi Premier League

There is uproar in the Dhiraagu Dhivehi Premier League in the Maldives after it was alleged one of the leading clubs sought to escape relegation by failing to play a match

There is uproar in the Dhiraagu Dhivehi Premier League, the leading football competition of the Maldives, after it was alleged one of the tropical archipelago’s leading clubs sought to escape relegation by failing to play a match.

The Premier League side Green Streets beat the drop last Thursday after not fulfilling their final league fixture of the season against New Radiant.

Had Green Streets lost by four goals or more, they would have been relegated on goal difference. Under the rules of the Football Association of the Maldives (FAM), however, any team that fail play a match forfeit the game 2-0, a score that was enough to stay up.

The club sent down in Green Streets’ stead, Club Valencia, have not taken the matter lying down. Having won their final match, Valencia immediately issued a statement accusing their rivals of “fixing the outcome of the match”. Valencia said Green Streets behaviour was “disgusting” and had violated the rights of Valencia and New Radiant.

The FAM responded to the controversy by placing Green Streets under a transfer ban and fining the club 50,000 Maldivian rufiyaa (£2,380). It also warned the club over their future conduct, saying: “If Green Streets repeats their actions, the committee has sent a warning stating they will take even stricter measures against the club.” But, crucially, it allowed the result to stand.

In a second statement Valencia said they did not accept the FAM’s verdict. “The club believes that the decision was made to show favouritism,” said Valencia, who suggested they would escalate their complaint to the Asian Football Confederation and Fifa.

Green Street said they “categorically deny” any accusations of match-fixing and blamed an outbreak of diarrhea and flu for calling the game off. “The team and management were present at the venue, with club officials and several players arriving on time, clearly demonstrating our intention to compete”, the club said in a statement. “Unfortunately, a significant number of our registered players were affected, which directly impacted squad availability on matchday. At no point did Green Street act with intent to forfeit or manipulate the outcome of the match.”