Discipline a concern – The National

PNGFA tells NSL clubs to straighten out players

By NATHAN WOTI
THE Papua Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) will look into recent cases of poor player behaviour and ensure clubs have taken disciplinary action, says PNGFA general secretary Dimirit Mileng.
Mileng said this at a press conference in Port Moresby on Wednesday. He said they would do a follow-up on the three clubs – Hekari United, Lae City and Bougainville – to see if they had taken appropriate steps to penalise their players who had brought the game into disrepute.

**Lae City’s Raymond Gunemba (left) and Bougainville’s Tyran Toiwa tussling for possession in last weekend’s clash at the Sir Guise Stadium.**

“We don’t want to give them (players) double punishment,” he said. “We will have to check with their clubs first to get an update regarding the punishment and then we will move on from there. But definitely those actions are not allowed and we will continue to remind the clubs to tell their players to control themselves.”
Mileng said the players’ actions in the recent games had gone viral on social media and had been reported in the mainstream media and this had caused consternation among the PNGFA board.
The incidents on review are:
Hekari United substitute Joseph Joe’s making an obscene hand gesture to fans in the Round 5 match against Tusbab Stallions;
City captain Raymond Gunemba touching a match referee; and Bougainville’s David Mosin making an obscene gesture to City goalkeeper in their match in Port Moresby.
Mileng said PNGFA would get reports from match officials and make sure proper sanctions were imposed on the three players.
He said the PNGFA had the same structure and code of conduct like other major leagues around the world where players, clubs, managements were required to behave in a way that did not tarnish the sport and competition.
Mileng admitted that the process of reviewing such incidents and taking action was slow in Papua New Guinea but they would see to it that players and clubs were aware that poor behaviour would not be tolerated.
He said the PNGFA and NSL had an obligation to the fans and sponsors as well as the players and clubs to ensure the game was played fair and wholesome way for everyone to enjoy.