The FA Futsal League playoffs became a farce when Group A was decided with a walkover. Here's how it unfolded:

Middlesbrough drew with Tranmere Victoria in the opening game of the day. Matthew Wootton, on loan from Italian club Presti Family Citrarum, scored a right footed shot into the top corner. Tranmere had the better of the second half and equalised when Lee Armes diverted a shot that was going wide into his own goal. Boro had two breakaway attacks and on both occasions Tranmere committed tactical fouls to prevent a good opportunity for Boro to go ahead. The game finished one all and Boro had the edge on fair play, and rightly so - the two tactical fouls prevented almost certain goals. As it stood, Boro were top, Tranmere second and Genesis, yet to play, were third. Tranmere were due to play Genesis next, giving Boro the advantage as they would know exactly what they needed to do to qualify.

Genesis vs. Tranmere, due to kick off at 2pm. Genesis, who were known to be running late had four players on the pitch at 2pm, not enough to start a game and even though the other Genesis players were close, and the schedule wouldn't have been decimated if they waited, Tranmere were offered a 5-0 win. Of course they took it - Genesis are one of the best teams in the country and probably would have won, and were certainly favourites to go through.

Now started the whole "fiasco".

All three team managers were consulted as to what should happen. The competition rules stated that Genesis could be disqualified, unless the cause of their lateness was due to force majeure, which it was not. They were badly organised, admitted by manager Joe Toko, and they held their hands up for that.

Genesis wanted to play both games, and would probably not play the second game, unless they were allowed to play Tranmere - understandable, as they were already out if the 5-0 stood and they agreed that it was fair for them to be disqualified. Tranmere agreed they would play Genesis again, after the final game of the day, in order to stop Middlesbrough receiving a 5-0 win. Middlesbrough wanted both games to be played, or neither game to be played. If neither - Boro would be through to the final.

From somewhere - a rematch of Boro versus Tranmere was suggested, and the winner goes through. Obviously, Tranmere wanted this over Genesis walking out, but for Boro, why replay a game that was already "won", if only by fair play points. This scenario was The FA disqualifying Genesis, which would mean Boro should then get the 5-0 win, and not have to replay the match versus Tranmere, which is nowhere in the competition regulations. So the FA would only disqualify Genesis if Boro played Tranmere - putting Middlesbrough in a no win situation and Tranmere in a win-win situation.

Genesis wanted to be disqualified, as they felt it was the fairest way, but The FA wouldn't do that, and not have a game take place as it would look like a mess for spectators.

Boro were in a situation where they had to beat Genesis by 5 goals, or they would have been forced to play Tranmere once more for a place in the final.

Initially, Middlesbrough agreed, reluctantly, to play Tranmere, but when Genesis had decided to do what the FA should have done and leave the competition, that decision was retracted and Boro would play Genesis, who wouldn't turn up for the second game, giving Middlesbrough the 5-0 win, as they did for Tranmere. Middlesbrough were close to being in the final.

However, as Genesis were packing up and getting changed, Tranmere agreed to give up the 5-0 win, desperately trying to avoid elimination, and play Genesis, obviously wanting them to stay and play Boro. The FA also threatened them with sanctions, including expulsion from the national league, which is an empty threat - there aren't enough teams wanting to play, and the promotional playoff for the south was won by a walkover too. Nobody wants to play in this terribly organised national league. Now, with a chance to qualify themselves for the final, and wanting to avoid sanctions, Genesis stayed to play Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough had made the decision to play Genesis on them walking out, or that Genesis would play Tranmere later (again, Tranmere turning the situation in their favour as they would then know what was needed to qualify). As stated in the first intance, Boro wanted both, or no games to be played.

Middlesbrough went into the game knowing only a 5-0 win, or more, would see them through to the final. Genesis were playing to win, as they thought they could then go on to beat Tranmere and qualify for the final.

The game finished 5-5, a sterling performance from Boro, against one of the country's best teams. Tranmere went through to the final, scoring only one deflected goal and earning one point. Fortunately, justice was done and Tranmere lost 7-2 in the final against Helvecia.

To summarise, Genesis were at fault, Tranmere Victoria did what was best for their team and not the sport, The Technical Committee lacked authority when it really counted and allowed the situation to spiral out of control when they could have solved the whole situation by allowing Genesis a few more minutes to be ready - Genesis would probably have gone through to the final, not Boro, but all would have been fair and the FA Futsal Leagues would have kept credibility and English Futsal would not have been damaged.

If Boro were in Tranmere's situation, many say Boro would take the 5-0 win, and want Tranmere to play Genesis. Indeed, after the events, Boro did want the 5-0 win later in the day as it was fair. However, they are all for the good of the sport, something many thought Tranmere were as well and Boro would have pushed for both games to be played regardless of the outcome.

Neil Thompson of Tranmere acted selfishly for his club, understandable as Tranmere will not be the same team in the next seasons and probably this was their last chance of a shot at the title - they are past it, and are losing their best players, both Boro productions, Ben Mortlock and Curt Holmes. Boro are at the start of a long term project and Boro manager Damon Shaw believes that this team, with an average age of less than 23, even lower next season, will go on to challenge for, and win many titles.

Tranmere return to The FA Futsal League North next season, and the friendly rivalry in the past will surely now turn into a fierce battle for years to come.






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com