FC Goa's 15-point penalty
revoked; fine reduced
PTI
MUMBAI
In a massive reprieve for FC Goa, the appeals panel of ISL on Friday revoked the 15-point penalty imposed on the club for 'bringing disrepute' to the event following last year's final besides reducing the Rs 11 crore fine and lifting the ban on the franchise owners.
In an unprecedented decision in May, FC Goa were slapped with a whopping fine of Rs 11 crore, which was today reduced to Rs 6 crore, while their co-owners Srinivas Dempo and Dattaraj Salgaocar were banned for two and three seasons respectively for 'bringing disrepute' to the tournament. The outfit had also been docked 15 points even before the start of season three.
However, the Indian Super League Regulatory Commission reconsidered the decision after an appeal made by Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), a joint venture between IMG-Reliance and Star India, and FC Goa.
The final of the 2015 edition of the ISL was marred by violence and controversy when players and officials of FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC engaged in scuffles after the conclusion of the match, with the Goans also boycotting the prize distribution ceremony.
“Appeals Panel has reduced the FC Goa's financial penalty to Rs 6 crore from the earlier Rs 11 crore. The Appeals Panel also stated that this amount to be paid to FSDL, should be utilised for investments solely in grassroots development programmes for football in the country. Appeals Panel also set aside Rs 1 crore penalty levied on FC Goa to be paid to Chennaiyin FC as part of the latter's legal expenses,” the ISL said in a statement.
The dispute ensued after FC Goa alleged that Chennaiyin FC captain and marquee player Elano Blumer had assaulted their co-owner Dattaraj Salgaocar, prompting a boycott of the prize distribution ceremony by the Goan club.
“ISL Appeals Panel has revoked the respective ban on two of FC Goa's owners, viz. Dattaraj Salgaocar and Srinivas Dempo. The decision was taken (on the) basis of letter of regret submitted by the owners and Elano Blumer, to the ISL Appeals Panel, terming the incidents as something that happened in the heat of the moment.
“Since it was a first time offence and based on the regret letters received, the Appeals Panel has revoked the respective bans on the owners.” The Regulatory Committee's earlier decision to dock 15 points threatened to turn FC Goa's next ISL campaign into an exercise in futility.
Meanwhile, the AIFF Appeals Committee has reduced the penalty of Rs 50 lakh imposed by the AIFF Disciplinary Committee to Rs 5 lakh.
In an official statement, AIFF announced, "The AIFF Appeals Committee after considering various circumstances and conducting hearings attended by FC Goa were of the considered opinion that there were mitigating circumstances to reduce the penalty imposed of Rs 50 lakh by the AIFF Disciplinary Committee to an amount of Rs. 5 lakh."
