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Not a single penny was spent without appropriate
record:
FIFA spent USD 3.2m to construct and renovate football centres-
Manilal Fernando
By Ranjan Anandappa
A pile of documents and still video clippings were produced as
evidence by former head of GOAL Development and former Chairman Football
Federation of Sri Lanka Manilal Fernando in defence of his credibility
while being accused of misusing a sum of 3.2 million USD given by the
FIFA in the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami.
Manilal Fernando the former football boss, vehemently rejected all
the allegations framed against him and vowed to go to any extent to
clear his name. He said he has two issues in mind to settle. First to
clear his name and thereafter the outcome of the the FIFA final hearing.
At a press briefing held at the Galadari Hotel Anthurium Room, Fernando
said that in the aftermath of the Tsunami, Sri Lanka received 3.2
million USD from FIFA as a result of his submissions before the Asian
Football Confederation and FIFA and the monies were utilised to
construct and renovate football centres in Ampara, Galle, Mannar,
Colombo, Wattala, Badulla, Kalutara, Norwood and Beddegana. "Financial
records with regard to every constructions were properly maintained and
not a single penny was spent without appropriate record" he said. "All
financial transactions with regard to the constructions took place
directly between FIFA and the respective contractors. In other words,
FIFA paid contractors and other relevant parties directly and the money
never went through the GOAL office's accounts. The GOAL development
office ,as clearly stipulated in our mandate, played the role of an
observer and a coordinator. Therefore, there was no room for any
financial misappropriation on the part of the GOAL office." Fernando
stated.
He further went on say that one member of the present administration,
by innuendo, had indicated that there had been financial
misappropriations while utilising Tsunami funds.
"It is evident that this smear campaign aimed at tarnishing my image
as I was the head of the GOAL development office in Sri Lanka.
I have been in the football administration since 1976 and have done
my best for the betterment of Sri Lankan football . These baseless
allegations can only be construed as a sinister plan against one
individual - Manilal Fernando" he said . He would welcome any fair
inquiry into the utilization of Tsunami Funds.
Secretary, Ministry of Sports Anura Jayawickrema has appointed a
committee headed by retired Judge and Ex-Commissioner General of the
Prison Upali Samaraweera to probe into alleged financial frauds at the
Sri Lanka Football Federation, the Ministry of Sports said. |
