Gokulam Kerala FC owner VC Praveen on Saturday said the inefficiency of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) cost them lakhs of rupees.

The AIFF, meanwhile, apologised to the team for its removal from the AFC Women’s Club Championship owing to the short ban by Fifa.

Gokulam Kerala, the reigning Indian Women’s League champions, were the worst affected by the ban as the Kozhikode-based team was not allowed to compete in the top-tier AFC club competition in Tashkent.

“It is like pinching the baby and rocking the cradle. Because of their inefficiency we lost lakhs,” Praveen said, hours after the ban on AIFF was lifted.

The 23-member team was left stranded in Tashkent after arriving on August 16 ahead of its opening match against home side Sogdiana-W in Qarshi on August 23 and against Bam Khatoon FC of Iran on August 26.

Gokulam Kerala have written to the AFC to reimburse the money spent on the travel of the players and support staff and on their accommodation but yet to hear from the continental body.

The AIFF, on its part, was rueful.

“Extremely sorry for Gokulam Kerala FC’s exit from the AFC Women’s Club Championship due to the suspension.”

Congress vs Congress

Rajasthan Football Association president and Congressman Manvendra Singh filed his nomination for the vice-president’s post on Saturday.

He will be fighting against Karnataka football chief NA Haris, his party colleague from Bangalore.

Singh, a Bhaichung Bhutia supporter, was a VP during ousted president Praful Patel’s reign.