Squamish's Ocean Port FC submitted a formal complaint to Vancouver Metro Soccer League (VMSL) executives after Surrey's IFC Zawisza "disrespectfully" forfeited its home game on Saturday (Jan. 31).
Ocean Port receives the full three points toward the Division 2A standings but it's only awarded one goal for winning through forfeit. Thing is, a team's total goals scored is very valuable because they are used to break ties in the overall standings. And with just three games remaining, 麻豆社国产is tied for first place with Shaheen FC but has 27 less goals.
Only the top team advances to Division 1 next season.
麻豆社国产beat IFC Zawisza 10-0 in their first meeting in October, so the red and white was set for another extreme assault on Saturday to cut down the goals gap between Shaheen, especially since Shaheen went on to beat the Ladner Rangers 6-0 on Sunday (Jan. 31).
But it wasn't simply the act of forfeiting that angered Ocean Port players and coaches. It was the way it was done. The team travelled nearly two hours to Surrey and were warming up while six IFC Zawisza players stood around, not even bothering to put on their boots, said assistant coach Dale Venekamp.
The opposing team waited for the referees to arrive, informed them of their forfeit, and left without a word to Ocean Port, said Venekamp.
"It was apparent these guys had no intention to play the game at all," he said. "They didn't even come over to talk to us so it was pretty disrespectful."
Venekamp said he hopes the league will reschedule the game. Otherwise, goals for should not be used to determine the overall winner. Perhaps the VMSL will decide to schedule a final playoff game between Ocean Port and Shaheen instead.
Meanwhile, Ocean Port is preparing for Division 2 Cup play, which starts this weekend. The club, however, has a bye, so will have to wait and see what teams advance past the first elimination round.
