ISL 2017/18: FC Goa star Mark Sifneos leaves India after Kerala Blasters allegedly lodge complaint
Former Kerala Blasters and current FC Goa forward Mark Sifneos has left India, fearing deportation by the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
Sifneos, who had made his way into the ISL after he signed for Kerala Blasters earlier this season, ended up leaving the club after former boss Rene Meulensteen was sacked. Soprtskeeda had reported earlier that the Dutchman was not too happy with how new boss David James and his coaching staff conducted their training.
Also Read: Why joint-top scorer Mark Sifneos left Kerala Blasters mid-season to join FC Goa
Now, however, Sifneos has had to leave the country, as his current visa does not recognise him as a Kerala Blasters player. An FC Goa official confirmed to Sportskeeda that the Dutchman has had to leave India on an immediate basis.
"Since it was not a loan deal or a direct transfer, we have to get a fresh visa for Sifneos," explained the official. "If it were a transfer, we could have worked on the same visa. So we had to send him back for now. "
However, the official also confirmed that Sifneos' visa application is already in process, and that the former Kerala Blasters man is expected to be back with the rest of the squad ahead of their match against Bengaluru FC on Friday, February 9.
The 21-year-old had been one of the best players in a struggling Kerala Blasters side, that had big names like former Manchester United stars Dimitar Berbatov and Wes Brown, and ISL's all-time top scorer Iain Hume.
However, he is said to have fallen out with the current team management, before he parted ways with Kerala Blasters and joined FC Goa on a free transfer, despite attracting interest from certain European clubs, especially from Greece.
Miffed that Sifneos decided to join a rival club on a free transfer certain Kerala Blasters officials are said to have lodged a complaint against the Dutchman to the FRRO, according to sources.
While Sifneos is yet to make an appearance for the Gaurs, it remains to be seen how he combines with the other top players in the squad, like Ferran Corominas and Manuel Lanzarote.