New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Thursday cowed down before Fransa Pax, acceding to the Goan club’s demand of having the Fransa-Air India match replayed in the National League.

In a letter written to the Fransa secretary, the AIFF has not only allowed the club to play in the NFL, but has also made it clear that “Fransa will resume their campaign from the match against Air India.”

It may be recalled that Fransa, after losing to Mahindra United in the NFL on January 30, did not turn up for their match against Air India, demanding a replay of the Mahindra outing.

Air India duly came to the ground along with the supervising officials and the match commissioner. Logically, the Mumbai team was entitled to receive a walkover.

Since then, Fransa chairman Micky Pacheco has been openly criticising the AIFF and its president Priya Ranjan Das Munshi. He even threatened to withdraw his team in case the federation did not order a replay of the Fransa-Air India match.

Air India coach Bimal Ghosh said he was “shocked and disappointed” with the AIFF decision.

Speaking to The Telegraph from Mumbai, Ghosh said: “I am not sure under which rule the AIFF has awarded a replay. I will talk to my bosses and most probably will protest against the decision.”

While acceding to Fransa’s main demand, the AIFF has made an effort to put up a brave front in the second part of the letter. It has declared Fransa chairman Micky Pacheco a persona non-grata.