Chennaiyin FC were crowned the new champions of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2015 after beating FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Sunday. But the celebration came to a halt when Chennaiyin FC skipper Elano Blumer was arrested for allegedly physically assaulting FC Goa co-owner Dattaraj Salgaonkar in the tunnel, leading to the dressing room.
Elano was taken to the Margao police station after being charged under the Section 341 of IPC. Elano has been charged for "voluntarily causing hurt", "wrongful restraint" and "intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace".
Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar was present at the stadium when the incident happened. He claimed that he saw Elano assaulting Salgaonkar near the dugout.
"I left the stadium when, apart from poor refereeing, I noticed the Chennaiyin FC captain insulting, abusing and assaulting Mr. Salgaonkar. I did not find it worthwhile to even wait for the prize distribution function. I was invited for the match by Mr. Salgaonkar," Parsekar was quoted as saying by The Hindu.
Goa police started questioning the Brazilian at the police station nearly two hours after the Chennaiyin FC won the final against FC Goa in dramatic fashion.
Chennaiyin FC's lawyer Rajeev Gomes was unhappy with the way Goa police treated Elano. Gomes also went on to say that the Goa police were detaining Elano even after the judge granted him bail.
"The court's order to release him came in at 1.30 am and for an hour they were discussing whether to release him or not. There is no condition that he has to give his passport and so we haven't given his passport to the police. There was an unnecessary delay from them. In bailable offences, it is the duty of the police to release but because of some pressure they weren't releasing," Gomes was quoted as saying by Goal.com.
"This incident has brought a bad name and reputation for the image of Goa. This incident shouldn't have happened and this is not the way frustration should be vented. This is an act of frustration.
"Defeat should be taken in a sporting spirit and this is not the way. I am also a FC Goa fan but this is not the way. You cannot make flimsy complaints and detain people. He is not a criminal to be detained this way."
Elano was eventually released from the police station, according to the report in Goal.
