Agencies
Margao, Dec 21: The drama surrounding the final of the second edition of ISL did not end with the game. It spilled off the field also with Chennaiyin FC skipper Elano Blumer being arrested by the police here for allegedly assaulting the owners and officials of FC Goa.
After a complaint lodged by Dattaraj Salgaoncar and Srinivas Dempo, co-owners of FC Goa, the police arrested Elano three hours after the game ended at the Fatorda Stadium here Sunday. He was asked to surrender his passport after being given bail. However, the Brazilian left the country early morning Monday. He flew off to London from where he will change flights to reach Sao Paulo.
Talking about the deplorable incident Dempo stated that after the FIR had been lodged, the police had arrived at the ground to arrest Elano. “He assaulted Salgaoncar, after the latter had protested about Elano ridiculing the FC Goa players,” said Dempo. “When Mr Salgaoncar protested, Elano hit him with disdain.”
The footballer refused to come out of the dressing room. Finally, when the police gave an ultimatum that they would enter the changing room, he came out and was arrested. The police took him away,” added Dempo.
Elano was booked under section 341 (wrongful restrain), 323 (causing hurt) and 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace). “Salgaoncar has formally lodged a complaint with us and we placed Elano under arrest,” Margao police inspector CL Patil said. “However, he managed to get bail,” the official added.
Goa police also informed that Elano has been given bail on the condition that he will return to India whenever wanted by a court of law. But chances are that the Brazilian may not return to the country again. If sources are to be believed, then Chennaiyin FC are expected not to renew the contract with the midfielder even though he has been a key member of the team for the last two seasons.
Chennaiyin FC won the ISL-II title defeating FC Goa 3-2 in an exciting summit clash. However, insulted by Elano’s behaviour the entire Goan team boycotted the prize distribution ceremony. “What happened after the game was very deplorable,” pointed out Dempo. “So we decided to stay away from the prize distribution ceremony. Such things are intolerable and even more so when a person like Salgaoncar, who has done so much for the game in Goa, is insulted.”
There were no comments available from either Chennaiyin FC players or officials. Repeated efforts to talk to them on the matter only prompted a ‘no comments’ from their side.
