In what could be described as the worst performance by the Baby Scorpions in Nigeria where they underwent a disappointing performance in the FIFA U-17 World Cup currently in session in Nigeria, there have been lots of questions regarding the FA's decision to conduct the MRI test that have been dominating the headlines for the past few weeks, the President of the Gambia Football Association (GFA), Seedy M.B Kinteh told reporters during a press conference held at the GFA's Secretariat in Kanifing yesterday that the reason being that the MRI was part of the FIFA rules and regulations.
"When the news was revealed some key members of the team have been affected as a result of the Magnetic Resonance Imagine Test (MRI) they underwent in Dakar, Senegal prior to the tournament. The Gambia Football Association refused to let the cat out of the bag, insisting that the results were not for public consumption.
"We received the information from the world football governing body (FIFA) that we should conduct the MRI test with the players that are to represent the country in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria and we have no other option than to abide by the rules and regulations of the FIFA and eventually some key members of the squad were affected," the GFA boss told journalists at the press conference yesterday.
"We have no other plan to escape the MRI test at our level if we had to, we would be very much glad to do so," he stated.
When asked why the FA insisted not to reveal the MRI results initially, Seedy responded by saying it is the responsibility of the GFA to do everything possible to protect the image of the players, noting that the MRI results might have a psychological impact on the future of the youngsters.
He was responding to the question raised by Nanama Keita of the Daily Observer, Sarra Camara of KWT Radio and Lamin Drammeh of the Point Newspaper, respectively as to why they decided to keep silence over the issue of MRI which might not be in the interest of the public who has right to information.
The GFA President went further to reveal that MRI results played a key role towards the team's poor performance in Nigeria. But he was quick to admit that the decision was beyond the control of the FA.
Pa Suwareh Faye who was part of the coaching staff to Nigeria said the coaches should accept criticism for the team's failure to make an impact, given the fact that if one is given such a responsibility one cannot escape criticism.
