Portuguese have taken the only action open to them by appealing against a ban imposed by the Jersey Football Association, it was due to have started on Monday 23 October, after Portuguese failed to answer a misconduct charge relating to a JFA Charity Cup fixture against Jersey Wanderers at Les Quennevais last August.
Portuguese Club vice-president Nelio De Freitas, a former Muratti player and the first Portuguese national to captain Jersey, said: ‘We have been successful in our appeal, our suspension has been “”put aside”” for now.
‘We’ve only got ourselves to blame and we have to put our house back in order.
We have to prove to everybody that we can do things correctly and our players behave on and off the pitch.
‘We have been involved in football with the JFA for 31 years and don’t want it to end.
I hope everyone accepts our apologies and we are given a chance to redeem ourselves.
‘My fear is that if we are banned this season we may never come back.
It would be very difficult picking up the pieces again next season if we are banned this season.
‘The players are well aware of what is going on.
Yes we have had administration problems for a variety of reasons but the players are to blame as well.
‘Two have been asked to leave the football club, one was totally out of order taking his shirt off and throwing it at a referee and then abusing him as well.
‘Anyone not happy with what we are trying to do can can leave and go elsewhere.
‘Our teams represent the Portuguese community in Jersey and we have to show respect.
Our Club has 400 members and they are not all there for the football.
‘We run a restaurant and bar and we need people to come forward and help us.
Three or four leaving the football section in a short space of time left us with our administration problems.
‘This has now been sorted, a club person on the payroll will now deal with the administration.’ De Freitas thanked JFA disciplinary secretary John Gasston for his assistance over the past few weeks.
