FC Goa fined 50 lakhs by AIFF disciplinary committee for ISL final fracas

FC Goa have been fined by the AIFF Disciplinary committee for the role they played in a fracas after the ISL final. The Indian Super League franchise was penalized for not attending the post-match awards ceremony, as the Goan club stayed away from the proceedings. In addition, FC Goa’s kit man has been banned for four games and issued with a 1 lakh fine.

The AIFF disciplinary committee, which banned Mohon Bagan manager Sanjoy Sen recently, met at AIFF House in Delhi to decide the fate of FC Goa, after serving them a show cause notice earlier in the year.

The incident in question revolves around the hotly contested Indian Super League Season 2 Final, a game which FC Goa were leading 2-1 going into the final minutes but lost 3-2 in injury time. The Goan contingent were involved in a fracas with match officials and the captain of Chennaiyin FC, Elano Blumer, after the game.

Consequently, they stayed away from the post-match proceedings, despite two of their players, Haokip and Joffre, winning awards. The owner of FC Goa also alleged match-fixing after the game, while also filing a police complaint against Blumer, which resulted in the Brazilian being arrested.

Here is the full statement of AIFF’s Disciplinary Committee:

AIFF DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE VERDICT ON FC GOA

The AIFF Disciplinary Committee which met at the Football House in New Delhi on Friday (March 4, 2016) unanimously decided on the following decisions:

FC Goa has been fined Rs. 50 lakhs (which is to be paid within 10 days) for not attending the post match Presentation Ceremony of the Hero ISL Final 2015.

Furthermore, Mr. Rajesh Malgi, Equipment Manager, FC Goa has been suspended for 4 matches of Hero ISL and also fined Rs. 1 lakh for using offensive gestures and abusive language against the Match Officials after the Final whistle of the Hero ISL Final 2015.

Given the seriousness of the allegations, FC Goa seem to have escaped lightly, although they might have a defence:

FC Goa made AIFF disciplinary committee think. Provided CAS ruling that match commissioner's report cannot be taken as gospel truth

— Marcus Mergulhao (@MarcusMergulhao) March 4, 2016

Curiously however, the punishments might not end for FC Goa, as the Goan franchise also has to face a hearing from the Indian Super League committee, who might come down far harder on the Gaurs.