Both the co-owners, who had 60 percent stake in the Goan franchise, are now no more owners of the franchise. However, Virat Kohli and Venugopal Dhoot will continue to be co-owners of the team.
In a statement released on Friday, the co-owners said, “The developments post the finals on December 20, 2015 have caused deep distress to us, our families, the FC Goa team and Goans in general. We have received a copy of the statement of Elano Blumer of Chennaiyin FC conveying his regrets over his actions that occurred post match on December 20.”
“Our families have supported football for over five decades and it extended itself to our association in the ISL. We invested in ISL because of our passion and the love of the game. We wanted to place Goa as a key presence on the football map. We have created in FC Goa a team with the right spirit and culture and playing football in the highest traditions of the game. FC Goa is a brand that has united Goa,” the statement added.
Dempo and Salgaocar said that the painful decision to exit FC Goa was taken in the interest of the innumerable fans and the team. “We would like to thank FC Goa fans for their unconditional love and being with us in good times and bad times and coming in such large numbers to the Fatorda stadium.
We would also like thank all our FC Goa players, coach Zico and FC Goa staff and officials for their support, dedication and commitment and partaking in our vision. A special thanks to co-owners Virat Kohli and Venugopal Dhoot, the government of Goa and our sponsors,” they added.
Both, Dempo and Salgaocar, reiterated their commitment to football in the future and offered their support to take Indian football to greater heights.
