Bad officiating marred AVM's (Bandra) 2-0 semi-final win over Colaba Municipal in their U-16 Div IV Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) inter-school football match at Azad Maidan yesterday.

AVM players Abhinav Bathula, Alakh Singh, Sachar Ishan, Krish Sheth, Siddhant Bhat and Mayank Bhogle were awarded yellow cards for celebrating by removing their jerseys after the final whistle.

Chief referee Elvis Nunes, who awarded the cards, admitted his folly: "It is my mistake that I awarded the yellow card to the players. After the match got over, I reconfirmed with a FIFA referee if the yellow card that I awarded to the players was right or wrong. And he told me that after the stipulated time if players remove their jerseys, it is not wrong. I am just hoping that the yellow cards are reverted," said Nunes.

Shrimali Kapil's brace either side of half time ensured AVM a place in the final against GD Somani (Cuffe Parade) who beat St Ignatius 1-0 in the other semi-final.

Overjoyed with the win the Bandra outfit players couldn't keep their emotions in check on field and they removed their colors just after the final whistle was blown. The referee Elvis Nunes didn't award any yellow card on the field but after the match got overu00a0 there was a mention of the yellow card against the names of AVM players Abhinav Bathula, Alakh Singh, Sachar Ishan, Krish Sheth, Siddhant Bhat and Mayank Bhogle.