PANJIM: FC Goa fans became the latest victims of Chennaiyin FC fans’ unruly behaviour during the second leg semi-final clash at the PJN Stadium, in Chennai on Tuesday.
The Gaurs had a stunning Indian Super League Season four along with their fans, however, their bid to the first title ended following a 0-3 (1-4 on aggregate) defeat against bitter rivals Chennaiyin FC.
However, the defeat was not the only heartbreak the 500 odd Goans carried back, but also the ‘bitter experience’ at the Stadium that kept them low throughout the 90 minutes.
The travelling fans claimed that they were assaulted at the stadium by the Chennaiyin FC fans.
“We were all charged up in the beginning of the match as FC Goa dominated the play but as soon as the tables turned, we were at the receiving end. The home fans pelted stones, eatables and water bottles at us. They were abusive throughout out the match. They even tore our banners,” complained Seby D’Souza, who flew to Chennai along with his son and cousins just to back the Gaurs.
“We complained to the securities around, but they were of no help to us. We had to watch the match in fright as stones and other material were just flung from the home fans from the stand above ours.
A video of this incident has been making rounds on the internet on how the Goan fans were treated by the Chennaiyin FC fans which was shared by Lestor D’Souza saying, “Chennaiyin FC fans attacked FC Goan supporters by pelting stones, paper balls, water bottles, etc. I feel that the security should not allow such incidents to take place or at least should have given protection to us.”
“This incident happened during the semi-final match between Chennaiyin FC vs FC Goa at the Chennai stadium…It was surprising to see stones and bottles since nothing is allowed inside the Stadium and how they were allowed to carry all those items (including eatables) is a question. The authority concerned has to look into the matter and make it safe for the fans to watch matches at different venues,” added Seby.
Seby said that no police complaint was filed as they had to travel back to Goa the same day and added, “We don’t understand why a police complaint is necessary to control the fans at the stadium. The security had to take precautionary measures taking into consideration their earlier scuffles with the visiting teams. The organisers should take measures to avoid such situations.” Although there was no formal complained lodged by the FC Goa fans in Chennai, one has to wait and watch if any action will be initiated against the ‘rowdy’ Chennaiyin FC fans.
FC Goa fans had their first bitter experience, however, Supermachans aren’t new to this! A similar incident was reported in December when Chennai hosted Kerala Blasters where the visiting fans accused Chennaiyin fans for pelting stones in the stand.
Earlier in November, another video made its way to the social media where some Chennaiyin fans were seen doing unpleasant gestures towards some NorthEast United fans in the stands. The video showed a guy doing provocative moves towards a female NorthEast fan and he also tried to engage some North Eastern boys into an altercation.
The social media went abuzz as soon as the video made it to the Internet and unanimously criticised the behaviour of some of the ‘Supermachans’. Action was taken against the culprits after NorthEast United owner and Bollywood actor John Abraham issued a statement reprimanding the incident.
When Herald tried to contact FC Goa, COO Rahul Rodrigues was not reachable.
