Indian Super League: FC Goa to pay penalty, owners banned

Indian Super League club FC Goa were sanctioned Rs 11 crore and their owners Dattaraj Salgaocar and Srinivas Dempo banned for three and two years respectively.

Last season’s runner-ups were found in breach of ISL regulations/code of conduct and bringing disrepute to the ISL, following an incident after the final on December 20 between the hosts and eventual champions Chennaiyin FC at Fatorda Stadium, Goa.

The five-member ISL regulatory commission met here over three days in continuation of their earlier sittings since February, to hear the submissions of the respective parties in the matter of Football Sports Development Limited vs FC Goa; FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC; FC Goa vs Elano Blumer and Chennaiyin FC vs FC Goa, before pronouncing a final order on Thursday.

FC Goa faced allegations of violating ISL regulations for ‘boycotting match and league ceremony’, ‘public criticism and threatening match officials,’ ‘alleging that the match were fixed,’ and ‘non-adherence of League rules’.

Dattaraj was banned from associating with any activity pertaining to ISL matches (including entering the stadium) for three ISL seasons. Srinivas was banned from associating with any activity pertaining to ISL matches (including entering the stadium) for two ISL seasons. FC Goa team shall be docked 15 points in the next ISL season.

The sanctions also included that a sum of Rs10 crore shall be paid by FC Goa to FSDL towards penalty/fine as well as costs; and a sum of Rs 1 crore to Chennaiyin FC towards costs.

The commission, chaired by Justice D.A. Mehta (former judge, Gujarat High Court) consisted of five independent eminent members from the legal, law enforcement and sports fraternity including, Justice B.N. Mehta (former judge, Gujarat HC); D. Sivanandhan (former director general of police, Maharashtra); Vidushpat Singhania (legal professional and sports law expert) and former India cricketer Kiran More.

FC Goa’s claims of ‘double jeopardy’ and the ISL commissions’ lack of jurisdiction were ruled out. All the parties have the option to exercise their right to appeal under the ISL League rules to the ISL Appeals Panel comprising of former Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Kshitij R. Vyas.