All is not lost for Goa, FSDL appeals to panel against 15-point deduction

Mumbai: A 15-point deduction, its owners Dattaraj Salgaocar and Srinivas Dempo handed temporary bans after last season's play-off final ended with a punch-up and claims of match-fixing may not be a pleasing sight to Indian Super League (ISL) franchise FC Goa. However, all is not lost as they may be still be slight hopes of ‘The Gaurs’ entering season 3 on a level playing field.

Read: ISL fines FC Goa Rs 11 crore, owners suspended

As part of one of the party in the case, Football Sports Development Limited – the promotional body of ISL has appealed before the ISL Appeals Panel with regards to the May 5 order by ISL Regulatory Commission.

FSDL thanks the eminent jury members of the regulatory commission for giving a fair hearing to all three parties and conducting its independent enquiry into the case. Keeping the interest of the sport and football at large, exercising their right to appeal as per the league rules, the Football Sports Development Limited –joint venture between IMG-Reliance and Star India, and the organisers of Indian Super League, have registered an appeal to the ISL Appeals Panel with reference to the Regulatory Commissions’ verdict of docking 15 points of FC Goa for ISL season 2016,” the statement said.

FSDL feels that it would be uncompetitive for the team to start their Hero ISL 2016 season with a negative 15 points and will undoubtedly affect the morale of the team as well as the fans. Indian football fans and in particular of FC Goa, should not have to bear such a heavy burden, for no fault of theirs. They have been very supportive of football, ISL and FC Goa, and the fans have been a good sport conducting themselves well in all matches held in Goa and turning out in large numbers to support ISL and football.

FSDL believes that a re-look at this aspect of the sanction is in the larger interest of football. FSDL, therefore has appealed to the Appeals Panel that the action of individual owners should not affect the fans of FC Goa, and all teams must compete on the field evenly.

Football Sports Development Limited has always endeavoured to provide its audiences the best quality football the country can offer with all teams mandated to sign 8 to 10 superior international players, including one marquee, in addition to 13 to 16 best Indian players. The management has always believed that the football fans in the country are the supreme most power in promotion of the beautiful game, and that their love for the sport as well as for the clubs need to be regarded highly above all aspects,” the statement read.

Lambasting the ISL for the heavy penalties it imposed on FC Goa, the club's Brazilian coach Zico on Friday said the order is based on a "clearly cooked" video and has left him disgusted.

I have no words! I feel disgusted for the order taken by the committee. How can ISL put such a heavy fine of Rs 11 crore (around USD 1.6 million), put bans of 2-3 year on owners and docking of 15 points for FC Goa?" Zico said in a statement issued.