Q. FC Goa’s image has been dented after a TV channel showed footage that Elano had not assaulted FC Goa co-owner. How do you react to this?
FC GOA: FC Goa’s image cannot be dented by such half truths and suspicious leaks. The incident happened on December 20 and how come one TV channel gets an “exclusive” TV footage now a day prior to the ISL Regulatory Committee meeting? In football, incidents do happen and actions are taken in two to three days or latest by a week and all focus on football and not make mountains out of mole hills. This “exclusive” raises a lot of questions, inferences and motives. Who leaked this and why? Further, the footage is not exclusive as it was given to the AIFF Disciplinary Committee and AIFF Appeals Committee. Also the footage appears edited and not unedited as the frames seem to have been adjusted. How can Mr Elano Blumer be in one frame with trophy and walking in a completely different location in the next frame? Any common person can see that the frames have been adjusted. While the news may allege that Mr Elano did not assault Mr Salgaocar, the police have established otherwise. Medically too, it has been proven that Mr Salgaocar sustained injuries from the assault.
Q. The arrest of Elano and the subsequent reaction of ISL has it made you rethink about FC Goa’s actions taken against Elano and the boycott of the prize distribution ceremony after the final?
FC GOA: As we have stated in the past, as soon as the incident took place we sought action from the League for Elano to apologize and be removed from the field of play as per AIFF/FIFA rules. Failure to respond to our request for action or even an apology from the player is the reason we sought assistance from the police. Condoning such an action of arrogance would be seen that we encourage such offensive actions from players just because they are foreigners and non–participation in the prize ceremony was decision on our part at the heat of the moment.
Q. Does FC Goa believe that their fans will back all their actions taken, explain your stand?
FC GOA: It was a high voltage game and the referring was very poor. The video footage which is edited captures only one part of a 15 minute incident. It also looks edited. Therefore the footage is not a credible source to form any opinion. Mr Blumer entered the FC Goa dug out-twice! He should not have even once. The footage has been edited to show Coach Zico and others assuaging Mr Blumer and taking him away from the dug out. It does not show the incident which took place earlier which is the assault. Post the final whistle all cameras, perhaps 12-18 may have been rolling and we had requested for all the raw footage which was denied to us. Our fans are the best in the world and believe in us.
Q. What did FC Goa stand to lose or gain after Elano’s arrest?
FC GOA: It has never been about winning or losing. As far as we are concerned, we have lost more than is imaginable. No owner of a club has been assaulted and when it does occur, the least he deserves is an apology. What would happen if Abramovich was assaulted in his Chelsea dugout? When all failed, we had to file a police complaint and this was to ensure that such an unprovoked attack did not go unheeded.
Q. What is FC Goa’s worst fear with the ISL and certain sections of the media closely scrutinizing Elano’s arrest?
FC GOA: AIFF Disciplinary Committee has ruled that it has jurisdiction on all matters concerning discipline including ISL and has given its orders. They have already imposed a financial penalty of Rs 50 lakhs on FC Goa which is under appeal with the AIFF Appeals Committee which has requested to maintain status quo.
