Former coach Gunemba appeals for calm

FORMER Lae City coach Peter Gunemba has appealed to the football fans and National Soccer League clubs to stop over dramatizing the transfer of his son Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba to Hekari United.
Gunemba told The National yesterday that he was concerned for Raymond’s and Dabinyaba wellbeing after seeing a month of abusive posts from fans on social media surrounding the debate between Hekari and former club Lae City over the player transfer process.
Gunemba said he was concerned for both men as they had been abused and threatened on social media.
“I am concerned of how my boys are being treated,” Gunemba said.
“They are being abused on Facebook and continuously on the spotlight with this whole controversy. It really hurts me and the family seeing all these.
“These are the players who represented Papua New Guinea and made us proud.
“Why so much hate? They haven’t hurt anyone to deserve this.
“Football fans should have some respect and refrain from making provocative comments on social media. It’s unnecessary.”
Gunemba also appealed to PNG Football Association and franchises, Hekari United and Lae City to come to an understanding and not hinder the players’ career.
“The situation here is a strange one and we haven’t seen such cases in the NSL before,” he said.
“I have looked through the regulations and there’s nothing covering a transfer situation of this nature.
“I can only ask the three parties (PNGFA, Hekari and Lae City) to let common sense prevail.
“Let football continue and let’s not hinder the progress of these players.
“This situation would be an eye opener for the organisers to update the transfer regulations so that such scenarios in the future can be dealt with.
“But for now, let’s use our conscience for the good of football.”