Competition decider marred by controversy

Tupapa-Maraerenga FC has taken the Lotto Premier Mens 2011 title in controversial circumstances after Titikaveka Football Club has made good on its threat to boycott yesterdays match.

The Tupapa men and umpires waited by the side of the field in vein for their opposition, which decided not to contend the match in protest of the competitions organisation and what they saw as double standards.

Tupapa president John Wilson said it was not the way the club had hoped to win, but it would have to do.

The side was sitting one point atop the ladder and needed to win this final match to stay there.

Wilson said the club was now focusing on the knock-out competition and supporting the under 17s side in their final match today.

The Lotto Premier Mens match had been postponed from Saturday because Tupapa had to release nine of its players to represent the Cook Islands at a FIFA World Cup international qualifying competition held at the same time.

CIFA president Lee Harmon said the association had made the decision to postpone Saturdays match in consultation with FIFAs Oceania region governing body.

Harmon said FIFAs regulations put a big emphasis on international fixtures and requirements mean domestic leagues have to release players for the games.

Harmon said other premier mens games had been postponed in the past, but it was more typical for postponements to be made for bereavements and similar issues rather than international matches.

Tupapa-Maraerenga FC submitted the request for the game to be postponed until nine of its players had returned from their international duties.

Wilson said the club could not risk losing or drawing the match against Titikaveka, so he requested the match be postponed.

Yesterday, Cook Islands News quoted Titikaveka player-coach Cameron Robertson as saying the club was unhappy with how the domestic and international fixtures were being organised.

Robertson also said Titikaveka felt there was an unfair standard being enforced on it, with Tupapa being able to field a side under similar circumstances in the week previous.

In response to that, Wilson said he had wanted both games to be postponed, but was only granted the one.