KARACHI, April 28: The breach of code of conduct by Bangladesh coach would be reported to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) only if the hosts lodge a complaint officially, an AFC official said Sunday.

“The Bangladesh coach has broken the AFC rules by complaining through the press about Pakistan players being overage, but I will report the matter only if the Pakistan Football Federation officially protests after the ongoing under-20 Asian qualifiers, he added.

The outspoken Bangladesh coach, George Kottan, triggered yet another controversy Saturday when he alleged that Pakistan fielded overage players.

“It is not only me but my players have also noticed that Pakistan side has overage players,” the Bangladesh coach had told newsmen at a post-match post press conference after his side beat Maldives 4-0.

Kottan, a vocal South African-born Austrian, has become a controversial figure because of his incendiary rhetorics, and had already complained about the sandy, bumpy turf at the People’s Sports Complex.

Shahi, a former Nepal goalkeeper, said being an AFC representative, he should have been approached by Kottan if the coach had any grievances against the pitch condition and overage players.

“It is an AFC event and according to the body’s rules he should have directly come to me rather than going to the press. He can talk to the media but what he did is invalid,” he said.

Shahi, however, did not specifically say what penalty Kottan faces if the AFC decides to penalise the coach.