Quote
"I have no words! I feel disgust for the order taken by the committee... That video is clearly cooked! Anyone with sense can see there is a cut before the assault on the owner, and surely all the reaction that came from our team members was not without motive,”
Zico,
FC Goa coach
PANAJI
FC Goa's Brazilian coach Zico on Friday expressed his deep dissatisfaction with the Indian Super League (ISL) Regulatory Commission's ruling against the club following the incident involving Chennaiyin FC's Elano Blumer after the final last season.
“I have no words! I feel disgust for the order taken by the committee. How can ISL put such a heavy fine of Rs 11 crore, put bans of 2-3 years on owners and docking of 15 points for FC Goa?” Zico said in a statement.
“We were there - coaches Moraci Santana and Bruno Silva saw Elano assaulting Mr (Dattaraj) Raj Salgaocar in our dugout,” he testified. “That video is clearly cooked! Anyone with sense can see there is a cut before the assault on the owner, and surely all the reaction that came from our team members was not without motive,” he added in reference to the video released in which Elano was allegedly manhandled by Goa officials.
Zico instead held a controversial goal scored during the match responsible for the entire debacle. “Interestingly, I could notice that in no time you can hear about the second goal of Mendoza that was scored by hand. It was one of the main things that extolled the spirits of those who were in the field as well in the stands. They deal with it as nothing really had happened. The video of this goal went viral but they speak that was not conclusive, but an edited video like this one brought such a harsh verdict,” he pointed out.
Earlier, FC Goa co-owners Dattaraj Salgaocar and Shrinivas Dempo had issued a joint statement, expressing shock over the ISL decision.
"We are surprised and shocked with the order as ISL was to decide on the application of jurisdiction and not to proceed on the hearing as AIFF which is the supreme body, (had) directed to maintain status quo on March 31. We are studying the order and considering all options before us."
Meanwhile, the ISL issued a fresh statement on Friday, saying the league is "committed to upholding the true spirit of the beautiful game and the fans’ interest first".
"The ISL organising committee is in the process of studying the order pronounced by its five member eminent and independent regulatory commission headed by Hon’ble Mr Justice D A Mehta. We thank the jury for completing the hearing in less than five months, considering the delays caused due to several extensions sought by FC Goa," an ISL spokesperson said.
"ISL in less than two years of its existence is being recognised as the ‘Brand of Indian Football’ in the global market. This is the result of dedication, foresight, commitment and hard work of all the stakeholders involved in ISL including AIFF, FSDL, its league owners, players and most importantly the fans.
"ISL stands committed to upholding the true spirit of the beautiful game and the fans’ interest first. ISL will continue to invest in Indian Football, until we as a nation realize our true potential in this sport," the statement concluded.
