New Star SC under scrutiny over fielding an ineligible player, Mohamed Sahi, without Crystal Palace FC Gampola’s release

A player registration controversy has emerged during the I League 2025 involving New Star Sports Club and Crystal Palace FC Gampola, potentially violating multiple tournament regulations.

According to reliable reports, Mohamed Sahi, who was formerly registered with Eravur YSS, joined Crystal Palace FC Gampola in February 2025 — a move publicly announced on the club’s official Facebook page.

However, during the ongoing I League tournament, the same player was found listed in the New Star SC squad, raising alarm over a potential unauthorised transfer.

Officials from Crystal Palace FC have confirmed that the club did not release Sahi for any transfer, nor were they informed about his participation with New Star SC in the I League 2025. This suggests a clear breach of both the club-player agreement and the player registration regulations outlined by the I League organizers.

The I League 2025 regulations — particularly under Section 15: Eligibility of Players and Section 16: Registration — strictly prohibit participation without proper registration and release. Clubs are required to register players within the designated transfer window and ensure full compliance with contracts and club agreements. Failure to adhere to these requirements can lead to sanctions, including disqualification and suspensions, as stipulated in the Disciplinary and Ethics Code

This is not the first time New Star SC has faced disciplinary action. In 2020, the club was suspended from the FFSL President’s Cup semi-final after a protest by Blue Eagles SC over fielding an overage U19 marquee player under alleged forged documents — a scandal that led to the resignation of a New Star official who also served on the FFSL Competition Committee.

Growing Concerns Amid Reforms

As Sri Lanka Football Federation (FFSL) and national team authorities work to rebuild the sport’s integrity and international standing, such cases of administrative malpractice threaten to undo recent progress. With the national team performing admirably and the FFSL pushing for reforms, these incidents are a stain on the domestic football system.

This incident serves as a critical reminder that transparent and ethical conduct is non-negotiable if Sri Lankan football is to move forward. The I League Disciplinary Committee is expected to take swift action to investigate and enforce appropriate sanctions if rules have been breached.

In a closely contested opener of the Asian Rugby Championship – Emirates Edition, which serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, South Korea narrowly defeated Sri Lanka with a final score of 38-34 at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo yesterday (June 13).

This tournament is crucial in determining Asia’s second qualifier for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, with Japan having already secured their place through the world rankings. The event features four top-tier Asian rugby nations: Sri Lanka, South Korea, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.

Despite the loss, Sri Lanka delivered an impressive performance, going head-to-head with a strong South Korean side. Lasindu Karunaratne of Sri Lanka was named Player of the Match for his outstanding contribution on the field.

Sri Lanka is scheduled to face United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong in the remaining two matches of the series. The tournament, organized by Asia Rugby, features the continent’s top four teams selected based on performance and aims to determine the final Asian representative for the global stage.

The opening match drew notable attendance, including Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage, who witnessed the action live.

Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for full coverage of the qualifiers and exclusive content from the ground.

Colombo, June 11 – The Sri Lanka Football Federation (FFSL) is set to take disciplinary action against a national team squad member following a controversial post-match incident during the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers against Chinese Taipei.

After Sri Lanka’s 3-1 historic win against 166th-ranked Chinese Taipei on June 10, an unused substitute player, Mohamed Thilham, was seen displaying a shirt bearing the message “PRAY FOR FREE PALESTINE”. The incident occurred during the post-match celebrations at the Colombo Race Course Stadium.

FFSL President Jaswar Umar, responding to media queries, stated that the act was not sanctioned by the federation, calling it “an unnecessary action that violates international football disciplinary norms.”

“This was not something done with the knowledge or approval of the FFSL. Even though it happened after the match, it is still an act that goes against the FIFA Code of Conduct. It was a politically sensitive message displayed on an international platform, which we cannot condone,” said Jaswar.

While many in the public and online community have expressed solidarity with the player’s message, the FFSL is viewing the matter strictly from a governance standpoint.

Thilham, a talented youngster from a remote region and relatively new to the national setup, has shown great promise. However, the FFSL President stressed that

“no personal motivations or emotions can justify violations of international sports protocols.”

Editorial Note:

While some fans hailed Tilham’s act as courageous and principled, others criticized the Sri Lankan Sports TV. Our own Sri Lankan Sports TV team had previously hidden the slogan in our match coverage out of respect for international sporting protocols and to safeguard the player’s future. However, it appears that a section of social media users intentionally spotlighted the statement, which may have contributed to the federation’s decision.