FIR filed against Chennaiyin star Elano for alleged tunnel bust-up before ISL 2015 trophy presentation

An FIR was registered against Chennaiyin’s Brazilian star Elano Blumer after an alleged brawl near the dug-out and the tunnel area just before the Indian Super League trophy presentation.

The New Indian Express quoted  police inspector CL Patil of Margao Police Station as saying that the complaint filed against Elano by FC Goa co-owner Dattaraj Salgaocar had been filed under Indian Penal Code Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), 504 (intentional insult with intent to cause breach of peace).

Chennaiyin had beaten FC Goa 3-2 in their home stadium Fatorda with two late goals in a thrilling final — but it seems that emotions got out of control and resulted in an unsavoury incident marring the memories of some excellent football on show.

Sources told Firstpost that there was a fight behind the stage after the full-time whistle and Elano tried to pacify the situation. However, in doing so, he reportedly walked towards FC Goa’s bench to which Salgaocar took offence. He asked Elano to get out of the area after which the former Manchester City playmaker allegedly pushed Salgaocar.

This triggered a melee and the police was called. They arrested Elano and reports of this broke at around 1 AM on Monday. A source told Firstpost that Chennaiyin’s team bus was at the stadium as long as two hours after the match. A picture doing the rounds also showed Elano at a police station.

The Hindu quotes Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar as saying: “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.”

Goa seemed to be unhappy with refereeing decisions during the match — but whether it was this or the fact that Elano allegedly pushed Salgaocar that made them boycott the trophy presentation is not known. None of Goa’s team officials came to address the post-match press conference either.