PANAJI: Politicians in Goa were not only miffed but wondered the logic behind the ISL Disciplinary Commission penalties on FC Goa and its co-owners Shrinivas Dempo and Dattaraj Salgaocar.
“This is a harsh decision not seen anywhere in the world. FC Goa has been handed down a multiple punishment, never seen before anywhere, in any part of the world. How can we compete now in this ISL tournament when they tie our legs and tell us to run? They punish the owners, the team and the people of Goa too,” stated Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza.
“They deduct our points before the competition starts which does not make any sense. There is no point in competing now, if this is the case. How can FC Goa team compete when they deduct 15 points before the tournament starts? Where is the competition left in such an event? It is a highhanded punishment not only to the team but the people of Goa. This is not acceptable in a democratic setup,” D’Souza observed
“These two families (Dempo and Salgaocar) have promoted football for years. How can someone just come and think of banning them from entering a stadium? Thousands of football players and their families have survived because of what Dempo and Salgaocar have done for football all these years. ISL just happened yesterday,’’ shot back former goalkeeper and Minister for Fisheries and Labour Avertano Furtado.
“It is very wrong to have fined them so much. FC Goa not only managed to get the crowds back to the stadium but also unite everyone living in Goa through the game. Is FC Goa being punished for this?” asked Furtado.
“Football is a religion in Goa. Football in Goa received a boost because of FC Goa and now they are trying to sabotage that. This is not just unfair but a wrong move. The stadiums were packed because the people gathered in support of the game that is so dear to all of us. Football means everything in Goa. Goa and football cannot be separated. What the ISL has done is ridiculous,” Aldona MLA Glen Ticlo said.
“Football lovers in Goa are absolutely upset with the decision of ISL. It is not a good verdict at all and there will be a bearing on ISL. By passing such a judgment the ISL has distanced itself from the people of Goa. The ISL has not only hurt the owners of FC Goa but every Goan. This is a direct slap on all of us. I cannot understand how this decision was arrived at,” stated Calangute MLA Michael Lobo.
“ISL has distanced itself from the people of Goa. Goans will support FC Goa but not the ISL. They cannot be so unjust to a team that has taken football to such heights. Goa had the maximum number of people supporting ISL and this is how we get treated in the end. This is not bad for football but bad for ISL,” added Lobo.