There was a bitter aftertaste to the sweet finish of India Super League match between FC Goa and Delhi Dynamos at Nehru stadium, Fatorda on Thursday. While the crowd went into a frenzy after the home team scoring a scintillating come-from-behind 3-2 win over their rivals, it turned out to be a night of horror for a family group of 20 who came together from distant Anjuna and Sanvordem.
When just about everything was almost over and presentation underway, crowds started to disperse while this family got into a huddle on the east lower tier to click selfies. It is here where trouble started. While security personnel insisted that the group should move out, the family was adamant of a group-shot for the album. The scene started taking an ugly turn when the security snatched the FC Goa-coloured scarf off a lady’s head which unnerved her son Lester D’Souza. An altercation followed with physical exchanges and abuses being hurled on either side, which included even the boys parents. Policemen, dressed in civilian clothing, opened the stadium fencing and took the boy inside only to give him a sound thrashing, much of it was captured on video by onlookers. An FIR was lodged for injuring police officers on duty and the parents of the boy were arrested. Lester was dealt with severe body and face injuries and was rushed to Hospicio with a bleeding face.
The incident comes as a massive setback to the growing fans of FC Goa. This is not the treatment one expects, especially if you are a die-hard fan of the team. People pay hefty ticket fees and travel miles in team-coloured attire to make it to the Fatorda stadium, some starting as early as 4 in the evening when the match is to kick off at 7.30 pm. They endure the heat and the discomfort of standing patiently in serpentine queues only because they want to enjoy their game. Their passion for football and the love for FC Goa knows no boundaries. And there cannot be a better moment when their home team scores a thrilling win such as the one against Delhi.
Thursday’s incident has only exposed the fact that Goa police is not trained to handle crowds at sporting events of such magnitude. Our police are more accustomed to managing crowds at festivals, zatras, agitations, silent protests, etc. Handling sporting events is a different ball game and requires a different approach altogether. You cannot chase people out of the stadium, especially when the match presentation is still underway. This could only lead to a flare-up since there is already a crowd proceeding towards the exit points.
Was violence needed to settle such a trivial issue? Why are the police not showing such brazen arrogance and muscle-flexing when confronted with more serious cases? If you have the gall, display your ‘dadagiri’ against the drunken traffic violator who risks life of others or to those who flout laws right under your nose. This is why Goans have lost confidence in their own police force, because in times that matter, law keepers often turn law breakers.
