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In the interest of rugby CR and FC will scrum down
By Bernie Wijesekera
Saner counsel seems to have prevailed after the heat of battle off the rugby field. The controversial suspension of the CR & FC has been lifted, and one of the country's oldest clubs will don their red jerseys for the prestigious Clifford Cup tournament commencing in a fortnight's time.

"The game of rugby fell apart due to the decision taken by the Rugby Union to suspend CR and FC for the entire season for playing Pushpakumara. The SLRFU administration due to lack of thinking and foresight has put the game in total disarray" said, Christopher Jordashe Chairman CR and FC Rugby Board, in an interview with The Sunday Times.

"To mete out justice over this unwarranted suspension on CR and FC for the entire rugby season for playing Pushpakumara. Pushpakumara, switched over from Kandy SC to CR and FC, for reasons best known to him. He changed residence to Colombo and played after three weeks.It's the opinion of many clubs in Colombo that all players should be contracted on a yearly basis before the start of the season. All agreed to this effect but sad to mention that the lethargic approach by the SLRFU failed to make it a reality. This has happened in the past, why penalise this player, a national asset as an attacking fullback.

The club went to courts on this issue. The court ruling was that the suspension was not valid. Subsequently the SLRFU raised objections on this ruling. It was again overruled in favour of CR and FC. Because of this impulsive action by the Rugby Union the game is going to suffer. Already it has hit a new low in the annals of Sri Lanka rugby. No time for tomorrow we can only live now. Forget about past few weeks' chat shows sanity must prevail for the sake of the game.

CR and FC has lost financially in the last game for the season against Kandy SC when the club is striving to keep the game alive at national level. More than half a dozen players from the Longden Place club, played against Thailand. Even without the foreigners, who have been sent home. The club has decided to close the chapter and take the field in the belated Clifford Cup. The players themselves have lost interest. But they still have a passion for the game.

The president of the Rugby Union Mohan Balasuriya said that we have offered to the CR and FC to lift the suspension. CR has accepted it, and CR and FC could play. The Clifford Cup will commence on Sept. 17/18. The reason for the delay is that the RWC 7s Asian region worked out during the weekend Sept. 10 to 12. Most of the Lankan national players and the administration will be involved in some way for this tournament, as Sri Lanka is hosting the event.

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