ISL postpones verdict on 2015 final fiasco

The appeals panel of the Indian Super League (ISL) has postponed the verdict on the appeals by the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and FC Goa against sanctions imposed on them for boycotting the prize distribution ceremony following last year's final.

"Honourable former Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Mr Kshitij Vyas, acting as the independent jury member of the ISL Appeals Panel will pronounce the decision on the appeals made by FSDL and FC Goa next week," the ISL said in a statement on Thursday.

The final of the 2015 edition of the ISL was marred by violence and controversy when players and officials of FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC engaged in scuffles after the conclusion of the match.

FC Goa had alleged that Chennaiyin FC captain and marquee player Elano Blumer had assaulted their co-owner Dattaraj Salgaocar and decided to boycott the prize distribution ceremony.

But the ISL's regulatory commission later adjudged that the decision to boycott the ceremony was taken beforehand and slapped the Goan franchise with a Rs.11 crore fine, docked 15 points and banned co-owners Salgaocar and Shrinivas Dempo for three and two years respectively.

"FSDL had appealed the decision of the ISL disciplinary commission to dock FC Goa's 15 points for the 2016 season of Hero ISL. FSDL in its appeal had represented that the larger interest of the fans of FC Goa and the level playing field for all teams will be affected because of this and had requested the appeals commission for a lenient view on the docking of points," the statement added.

"FC Goa, on their part, had also appealed to the appeals commissioner on the ban on their co-owners, the financial penalty in addition to the docking of points."

--IANS

ajb/bg