FC Goa fined Rs 11 cr, co-owners banned by ISL

New Delhi: In an unprecedented decision, Indian Super League side FC Goa has been slapped a whopping fine of Rs 11 crore and their co-owners Shrinivas Dempo and Dattaraj Salgaocar have been banned for two and three seasons, respectively, for “bringing disrepute” to the tournament.

New Delhi, May 5

In an unprecedented decision, Indian Super League side FC Goa has been slapped a whopping fine of Rs 11 crore and their co-owners Shrinivas Dempo and Dattaraj Salgaocar have been banned for two and three seasons, respectively, for “bringing disrepute” to the tournament.

The ISL Regulatory Commission took the decisions after the conclusion of the hearings in Mumbai with regards to the controversy surrounding the scuffle between Chennaiyin FC's Brazilian marquee player Elano Blumer and FC Goa officials after the final in Margao in December last year.

The five-member Regulatory Commission, headed by Justice DA Mehta (retd) met in Mumbai over the last three days, in continuation of their earlier sittings since February, to hear the submissions of the respective parties in the matter.

“In the final order pronounced today, FC Goa were found in breach of the ISL regulations/code of conduct, and bringing disrepute to the ISL following the unfortunate incident on December 20 last year,” the ISL said in a release.

“FC Goa were facing the allegations of violating ISL regulations, namely boycotting match and league ceremony, public criticism and threatening match officials, alleging the match was fixed, and non-adherence of League rules.”

On December 20 last year, after Chennaiyin FC defeated FC Goa 3-2 in the ISL final in Margao, a scuffle broke out. Chennaiyin FC's marquee player Blumer was accused by FC Goa co-owner Dattaraj Salgaocar of assaulting him at the home team's dugout after the final whistle. Dattaraj filed an FIR in a local police station and Blumer was arrested. He was released after spending a night in police custody.

The ISL Regulatory Commission then issued notices to the parties involved and asked FC Goa why action should not be taken for boycotting the post-match prize distribution.

Meanwhile, video footages also emerged which purportedly showed that Elano did not resort to any aggressive conduct during that scuffle. — PTI