Fans
of FC Goa on Thursday bled more blue than
ever before. News arrived hard and fast upon the doorstep of every
fan, that the Indian Super League Regulatory Commission had handed
their club a hefty fine of Rs 11 crores, apart from banning the
owners of the football club, Dattaraj Salgaocar and Srinivas Dempo,
for three years and two years respectively, on the basis of
disciplinary grounds.
However,
perhaps the worst news of all is that FC Goa will start the season
having been docked 15 points, before the first kick-off even comes to
pass. In a league that averages 14 matches per club, per season, this
move could well ensure that FC Goa’s chances are scuppered before
the outset of the third edition. All this comes on the back of the
club facing allegations of violating ISL regulations after FC Goa
lost the final 2-3 to Chennaiyin FC.
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Facebook
erupted with protests as fans rallied behind their team and went on
to voice their outrage, posting about everything, from telling the
team to withdraw their participation in the league, to others
deciding to protest the rulings. In keeping with this, Café asks
some fans of the club what they think of the decision, and what it
means for the future of the club.
We
are planning a massive protest rally against the injustice meted out
to FC Goa. Over the past 2 years, FC Goa has managed to unite every
Goan, across religions, castes and political affiliations. The prime
agenda will be to overturn the point deficit and also the hefty fine.
11 crores is a ridiculous sum. People need to know the truth. It was
Elano who first started taunting the fans, and then our team, which
resulted in the fracas. I think we were the most sporting team all
along. We need to unite Goans and FC Goa is our best bet. It is a
club that has given to Goa what no other club has ever managed to.
VARUN
CARVALHO, Composer
of the team anthem
The
docking of points is totally unacceptable. We will begin the season
with 5 losses to our name. Players won’t have any motivation to win
games, as it’s near to impossible for them to make it through to the
knockouts. I won’t boycott any matches, because at times like these,
the team needs their fans the most. There has to be an appeal against
the decision and we have to hope for a merciful punishment.
JHONAL
RODRIGUES,
FC
Goa fan
The
punishment given to FC Goa is unfair and harsh. This will totally
dampen the spirits of football fans. In football, emotions get
charged up and incidents do occur. Taking away 15 points for the
upcoming season is as good as taking away any chance of FC Goa
qualifying for the latter stages. We, as fans, will definitely
protest this decision. We shall stand by our club.
HILLARY
GOMES,
Designer
of team mascot, Gaurdinho
The
unfortunate turn of events is really disappointing for FC Goa fans,
far and wide. The point docking will prove to be a major setback to
start off the season. After everything that’s said and done, I’m not
sure if protests will help. However, we are true FC Goans, and will
support our team by all means possible.
DR
LINOSHKA D’SILVA,
FC
Goa fan
