Relegated Caroni beaten 15-0 in Venezuela
Reuters - Monday 09 May 2011, 17:19
CARACAS - Caroni, already relegated after
one season marked by serious financial problems in Venezuela's
first division, were crushed by a national record score of 15-0
by El Vigia at the weekend.
The team from Puerto Ordaz, founded in 2009 and second
division winners in their first season in existence, made the
25-hour journey to El Vigia with 11 youth players, the daily El
Medidiano reported on its website.
The referee ended the match five minutes from time when
Caroni, who had no substitutes, were down to seven players due
to injuries, the website balonazos.com reported.
Striker Genlis Pinero scored a hat-trick and substitute Yan
Salazar four goals, the Venezuelan Football Federation said on
its website, in front of
1,020 spectators.
The first team squad, owed unpaid wages, refused to play and
the players at the match were pictured in balonazos.com showing
a banner saying: "For football up to date (with pay)".
Mid-table El Vigia, looking to qualify for eight-team
playoffs for a place in South America's second-tier Copa
Sudamericana club competition, took full advantage to boost
their goal difference.
Caroni have had problems since the beginning of the season
to raise adequate sponsorship to meet their expenses. Venezuelan
league football draws very small crowds, generally under 1,000
fans.
The Clausura championship will be decided on the final day
next weekend when Zamora visit second-placed Caracas FC. The
winners will then face Apertura title holders Deportivo Tachira
over two legs for the 2010-11 crown.