Beecroft Slams Alade Over Comments On Winners Golden Bet/Lagos FA Cup

SUNDAY AKINTOYE

Stakeholders in Lagos football have continued to react to the statement credited to founder of Alade Football Academy, Prince Tunde Alade that he and others have not been treated well in the annual Lagos State Challenge Cup.

Alade recently told P.M. EXPRESS in an interview that he has decided not to participate in the Lagos FA Cup because of biased officiating, favouritism, lack of organization and high fees of registration forms which formed his decision to stop playing FA Cup.

One of such reactions came from the General Manager of Messiah FC, Deji Beecroft who blasted Alade for what he described as unguided statement against a well organised FA Cup in the country. He said Alade’s comment lacks merit and facts, noting that there was no iota of truth in what Alade said against the Lagos State Football Association, adding that Alade, who is the President of Association Proprietors Football Academy of Nigeria, Lagos chapter. APFAN, is just seeking for media attention instead of facing reality.

“Let me clear the air here, since Winners Golden Bet has started sponsoring Lagos FA Cup few years ago, there was no bad officiating, favouritism and extortion of money from the club owners by members of Lagos FA. Every club owners know the guideline of the FA Cup. If you are a grassroots club owner, the money you would pay would be different from the amateur or professional clubs, so I don’t understand why someone would be looking for unnecessary relevance,” he said.

 Beecroft also called on Alade to contest for a position at the divisional football level instead of saying that no member of APFAN is on board of Lagos State Football Association. He said he is disappointed that Alade could be speaking in the media alleging that no member of APFAN was elected into the board of Lagos State Football Association.

 “I read about him that none of his member was elected into the board of Lagos FA. has APFAN member  contested and was denied in the FA poll. So how can somebody would be talking as if he does not know the rules guiding elections into the board of state FA?”  he queried.