Elano breaks silence on last year's ISL final fiasco
Chennaiyin FC captain Elano Blumer has denied claims that he assaulted FC Goa co-owner Dattaraj Salgaocar after the chaotic ISL final at Goa, back in December last year. In a letter to the franchise, Elano also accused FC Goa’s Indian players of manhandling him after Chennaiyin won the final.
Elano was accused of assaulting and abusing the FC Goa co-owner after the final and was arrested immediately and released on bail after an ordeal at the Margao police station. The former Brazil international refused to make any public statement after the arrest and hurriedly returned to Brazil, but has explained his position in a detailed letter to the franchise.
"At no point in time have I acted in a manner that will bring disrepute to Chennaiyin FC or the sport of football. The allegations made against me by the FC Goa owner are completely false and baseless. I deny all such frivolous accusations. I have in no manner caused any hurt or wrongfully restrained or insulted/physically abused Mr Dattaraj Salgaocar as has been alleged by him," Elano wrote in his letter to the club after his return to Brazil, reported Times of India.
Elano went on to claim that some of the FC Goa players and management staff manhandled him while he was trying to calm things
"I felt that such action by the players and officials of FC Goa was uncalled for and in bad taste. It completely spoilt the jubilant and celebratory atmosphere after an incredible final. It was one of the best matches I have ever been part of in my career.
"Since I share extremely good relations with some of the Brazilian players in FC Goa, including coach Zico, I tried to calm the situation by explaining to them that such actions were not in the true spirit of the game. My intention to speak to the FC Goa players including Zico was to merely placate the tense atmosphere
"This traumatised me completely and before I could even react, some of them held me by the neck and certain others started pushing me. I was later given to understand that the group of people who heckled and manhandled me included members of the FC Goa management and their team owner," said Elano, reported Times of India.
The 34-year old added that he was in a state of shock at the police station after the officials tried to confiscate his passport.
"At the police station, I was still stunned by the entire incident that took place at the stadium and hence was not in a position to comprehend the proceedings that took place at the police station. I was told that the police officials were trying to get access to my passport and thereby restrict my ability to go back to Brazil. However, I was in a state of shock. I thought it was best to let the lawyers along with officials of Chennaiyin FC management handle the situation," said the former Brazil international.
The Goa police have completed the investigations into the alleged assault and have filed the