Bengal Tigers to get second chance in the Bristol Downs League
A football team thrown out of the Bristol Downs League in a disciplinary row is expected to be readmitted at a meeting tonight.
The league's committee has been advised by the FA that it must readmit the Easton-based Bengal Tigers, expelled following an incident in which an opposing player was hospitalised after being hit during a match.
Last night, the injured player, Mark Fitzgibbon, said he was disappointed that the Tigers were likely to be allowed back into the league's fourth division.
Mr Fitzgibbon, of Withywood, said his team, Retainers A, was likely to refuse to play any fixture against the Tigers.
The 28-year-old could not see out of his right eye for two weeks after suffering burst blood vessels when he was hit following a flare-up involving an unregistered player who had turned out for the Tigers, in breach of the rules.
The Tigers were immediately suspended from the league, which has more than 50 teams and 600 players, then expelled at the end of last season.
Mr Fitzgibbon said: "It is disappointing to hear they are back in.
"We (Retainers A) are going to forfeit all our games against them, and I think a lot of other teams will be doing that as well, so I don't know how much fun they are going to get out of it.
"They have never named the person involved in the incident, or apologised for what happened, which is disappointing."
Of the incident that took place near the end of last season, Mr Fitzgibbon said: "One of our guys put a tackle in in the centre circle and then their guy just went berserk and started throwing punches.
"I was walking off but got called back as they were going to try and restart the match. I took a whack and the next thing I know, I'm in an ambulance."
If and when the Bengal Tigers rejoin the league, their fixtures will be rearranged to make up for the portion of the current season they have missed.
But the Evening Post understands that several league officials and administrators have threatened to resign if the Tigers are allowed back and many referees and clubs have said they may boycott any fixtures involving the team.
The Bengal Tigers have said from the outset that the reasons given by the league for their dismissal are unconstitutional, and the Gloucestershire Football Association agreed.
Bengal Tigers secretary Syed Haque said: "We're delighted to be going back into the league. And obviously we're going to try and have a happy re-union with the other clubs.
"The players are happy, although a lot of them are saying 'are we going to be looked at as a bad apple?'."
In Saturday's Post Mr Haque said the player who had attacked Mr Fitzgibbon had been an unregistered player and said it had been a "mistake" to allow him to play.
16 Comments
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by lorraine, bristol uk
Thursday, November 13 2008, 12:11PM
“I prefer to go shopping at cribbs for the free parking. cabot circus is a load of rubbish, all posh shops.”
by John, Bristol
Thursday, November 13 2008, 12:01AM
“Seems like Bengal Togers are operating a racist selection policy. From their name they presumably only have Indian players in the side. If they want to play football then theyshould abide by the rules. However I bet they aren't the only team on the Downs to play an unregistered player! That is what Downs footie has always been about!”
by dave, bradley stoke
Wednesday, November 12 2008, 7:54PM
“The Bengal team know the guy who did this - I know for a fact as I work with an ex-Bengal player, who left due to all the trouble they were causing. I did post the reason on here why they will not inform the police, but it was edited out, but I think it's obvious as to why...”
by Player, Bristol
Wednesday, November 12 2008, 4:24PM
“They have not bee allowed back in because of race, they have been allowed back in because the Downs League Committee did not follow the agreed procedures.
The fault lies squarely at the doot of the Committee.”
by Worried Local Player, Bristol
Wednesday, November 12 2008, 3:10PM
“They aren't the first side to be thrown out of a League due to disciplinary problems but because of their race they are allowed back in to run riot once again.
The FA want to re-establish the RESPECT campaign, so this is a very funny way of setting an example. ALL teams, players and officials should boycott this teams fixtures, although I fear that all that will happen is the troublemakers will just go and join another club.”
by SCOTT, whitchurch
Wednesday, November 12 2008, 2:08PM
“This is an absolute joke that a team that has been chucked out of the league for numerous other offences as well as in this case 1) fielding ineligible players 2) allowing on eof their players to inflict this injury on an opposing player 3) allegedly the whole team running to the cars before police arrive and most callous of all 4) aiding and abetting a criminal by not giving his name to police - someone knew him for him to be there in the first place
For their chairmen to play the race card is ridiculus but expected and it is also expected that the GFA and the FA buckle under the race topic that is not even relevant in this matter.
I salute the downs league in their stance and for every team that has a fixture against Bengal Tigers i call for you to boycott them and shun them the way their drivel deserves”
by Terry, Bristol
Wednesday, November 12 2008, 2:02PM
“Hang on Martin, 'violence!', next you'll be wanting to throw spears during a game”
by Martin, The Downs
Wednesday, November 12 2008, 1:58PM
“I think some of the comments are a bit harsh. Violence is part of the culture of some groups and we cant discriminate”
by Gentleman player, Bristol
Wednesday, November 12 2008, 1:49PM
“I think that renaming the team 'Bengal Banshees' would be more appropriate.”
by Roberto, Bristol
Wednesday, November 12 2008, 1:33PM
“I agree with what has been said in the comments. It is disgusting that the GFA have overturned the Downs League, which in turn, could effect the 600+ players.
Might I just add, this was not a 1 off incident, and Bengal Tigers have been involved in similar circumstances!! So why allow a team back in, with a bad reputation, and could put other players in jepoardy, where all we want to do is turn up and play, pint down the pub, and work monday morning, with no black eyes or broken jaws!! All Downs League Clubs Boycott your fixtures against them. Let them win the league without kicking a ball, they will sonn get fed up of walking down to the Sea Walls, on a cold January Day”