Football
Sri Lanka U19 Football Collapse Exposes Deep Flaws in FFSL’s Youth Development and Governance

Sri Lanka’s humiliating 13-goal downfall in just two matches at the SAFF U19 Championship 2025 has laid bare the critical failures in preparation, technical development, and governance by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL).
After suffering an 8-0 loss to India and a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Nepal, Sri Lanka crashed out of the tournament without scoring a single goal — a result symptomatic of a poorly planned campaign lacking any strategic foresight.
Despite knowing the SAFF U19 tournament would kick off on May 9, FFSL conducted the final player trials only on March 27, 28, and 29 — giving just over a month for squad selection, tactical preparation, and conditioning. To make matters worse, the team departed for India on May 7, leaving no room for acclimatization or final preparations.
Rather than conducting a proper youth tournament to identify the best talent across the country, FFSL relied solely on trials — a flawed approach that fails to account for the natural ups and downs in player performance. One poor day at trials could cost a talented youngster his chance, while truly elite players may never even get scouted.
Adding further concern was the decision to include Sri Lankan-origin players directly into the starting XI without proper assessments or integration into the team structure. This move, seen by many as superficial, was akin to placing icing on a cake that was never baked.
Despite grand public claims, FFSL’s much-hyped “Y19 Tournament” in collaboration with Lyca Gnanam Foundation turned out to be nothing more than a media stunt. No such competition materialized on the ground, leaving local youth players without the competitive platform they were promised.

This is not only a technical failure but a complete collapse in administrative responsibility. The lack of grassroots planning, long-term youth development frameworks, and regional scouting shows FFSL’s hollow commitment to actual football development.
Even more alarming are the disciplinary concerns, with reports emerging that the U19 head coach physically assaulted five players at the team hotel — if it is ture, a severe breach of professional conduct that demands immediate investigation and accountability.
The blame cannot rest solely on the President of FFSL. The 2023 election saw three influential football administrative figures unite to secure victory. Yet, in the face of this collapse, only the President faces criticism, while the others remain conveniently silent.

It is clear: playing international matches alone won’t develop football. What Sri Lanka needs is a structured, grassroots-driven technical program — not public relations campaigns or shortcuts.
Unless FFSL reforms its approach to youth development, embraces merit-based talent identification, and ensures accountability at all levels, Sri Lankan football will continue to languish in mediocrity, both regionally and globally.
Football
FFSL’s Suspension of Six Leagues Sparks Outrage Amid Governance Failures
Colombo – The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has suspended six regional football leagues, citing administrative and financial irregularities. However, this decision has triggered widespread criticism and raised serious questions about the federation’s own accountability and governance standards.
The suspended leagues are Embilipitiya, Hambantota, Jaffna, Kalkuda, Madhu Manthai West, and Point Pedro, with the FFSL alleging that they failed to submit annual reports, maintain financial accounts, or conduct football activities for over three years.
While FFSL claims these actions were taken to uphold its constitution, critics argue that FFSL itself has consistently failed to meet national governance standards, particularly those outlined in Sri Lanka’s Sports Act.
FFSL’s Own Compliance Under Fire
According to Section 32 of the Sports Act, national sports bodies like FFSL are legally required to submit their audited financial reports for the previous year on or before May 31st each year. However, the FFSL has reportedly failed to comply with this for multiple consecutive years — from 2022 to 2024 — placing it in clear violation of national law.
This failure gives the Ministry of Sports the legal authority to suspend FFSL’s registration, raising the possibility of a broader administrative intervention if reforms are not undertaken.
Lack of Support for Grassroots Development
Furthermore, FFSL’s lack of consistent funding and tournament organization for regional leagues has hampered football development:
- 2021: LKR 250,000 per league
- 2022: LKR 100,000
- 2023 & 2024: No funding
- 2025: Limited support to select leagues for a yet-to-be-played Y19 Youth League
Despite this, FFSL is now penalizing regional leagues for being inactive — an inactivity that many argue is the direct result of the federation’s own inaction and neglect.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
The suspension of Jaffna Football League, which is currently under judicial review, has also raised eyebrows. With a court case pending, legal experts question how FFSL can justify suspending a league under such circumstances without violating due process.
Hypocrisy in Action?
Despite citing “no financial reports” as a reason for suspension, FFSL has not published its own audited reports for three straight years. Observers call this an act of institutional hypocrisy, and many stakeholders are calling for the federation to hold itself to the same standards it demands of others.
If Sri Lanka is to progress in regional and international football, governance reform must begin at the top — starting with FFSL’s transparency, accountability, and genuine grassroots development efforts.

Football
Sri Lanka U19 Football Team Crashes Out of SAFF Championship with Embarrassing Defeats

Sri Lanka’s U19 football team suffered a humiliating exit from the SAFF U19 Championship 2025 after being routed 5-0 by Nepal in their second group stage match, just days after a crushing 8-0 defeat against India. With 13 goals conceded in two matches and none scored, the team’s dismal campaign has raised serious concerns over the Football Federation of Sri Lanka’s (FFSL) preparation and technical planning.
Goals Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ZXQmc7qJL
The back-to-back heavy losses reflect more than just poor on-field performance — they expose a deeper structural failure in Sri Lanka’s football development system. The decision to hurriedly assemble the squad and include overseas-based Sri Lankan-origin players may have been well-intentioned, but it turned out to be a superficial fix — akin to placing icing on an unbaked cake.
Despite individual talent and moments of athleticism, the team lacked cohesion, tactical discipline, and fitness — a direct result of inadequate preparation and the absence of a proper long-term youth development strategy.
This tournament has made it abundantly clear that international match exposure alone cannot bridge the technical and developmental gaps in Sri Lankan football. Grassroots investment, school-level competitions, proper coaching structures, and continuous player development pathways are urgently needed if Sri Lanka is to be competitive at regional or international levels.
It is time the FFSL technical department, its President, and Executive Committee move beyond media optics and press conferences and instead focus on real football development. Structural reforms, professional planning, and technical consistency must replace ad-hoc preparations and cosmetic fixes.
Sri Lanka’s early exit should serve as a wake-up call: the future of Sri Lankan football depends not on imported talent but on nurturing homegrown players through sustained and systematic development.
Football
India Crushes Sri Lanka 8-0 in SAFF U-19 Championship Opener: A Wake-Up Call for Football Authorities
Sri Lanka’s U-19 football team suffered a devastating 8-0 defeat at the hands of India in their opening match of the SAFF U-19 Championship 2025 held at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Arunachal Pradesh, India.
From the opening whistle, Sri Lanka appeared unprepared and disorganized, allowing India to dominate every aspect of the match. The scoreline, split evenly with four goals in each half, highlights the defensive collapse and tactical shortcomings of the Lankan side.
India’s Danny Meitei Laishram netted a hat-trick, while Prashan Jajo added a brace, showcasing the stark contrast in quality and preparation between the two teams. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, failed to register any meaningful threat on goal throughout the match.
This humiliating loss raises serious concerns about the strategic planning and readiness of the national youth setup. Despite months to prepare for the tournament, the team lacked structure, fitness, and cohesion—fundamental aspects of international football. The technical team must face questions about the lack of competitive match exposure, tactical discipline, and defensive organization.
Moreover, the physical conditioning of the squad appeared subpar, and substitutions made during the game had minimal impact. The repeated lapses in positioning, marking, and pressing made it clear that the squad was outclassed not just physically but mentally and tactically.
This result must serve as a wake-up call for the Football Federation of Sri Lanka. Talent alone will not bridge the growing gulf between Sri Lanka and regional rivals unless it’s paired with structured development, professional coaching, and consistent investment in youth football.
Sri Lanka must now regroup quickly as they face Nepal U-19 in their next group match on May 11. The path to redemption begins with accountability—and urgent change.
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