Elano incident unacceptable, says AIFF chief

Expressing serious concern at the unsavoury incident that happened after the Indian Super League final in Goa on Sunday, All India Football Federation president Praful Patel said on Monday he was awaiting the match commissioner's report before cracking the whip on the wrongdoers.

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"I am waiting for the match commissioner's report. It was an unfortunate incident and absolutely unacceptable. Nobody has the right to hold the football law into his own hands," Patel told reporters at the Cooperage stadium in Mumbai on Monday.

Late Sunday night, Goa police arrested captain of ISL-winning team Chennaiyin FC Elano Blumer, for allegedly assaulting co-owner of FC Goa team Dattaraj Salgaoncar during post-match celebrations at Nehru Stadium at Margao after the game.

Taking strong exception to the brawl, the Indian Super League said it does not accept "such behaviour" and referred the matter to its disciplinary committee.

Patel, was in Mumbai to watch the practice match between the AIFF under-17 team that is preparing for the 2017 U-17 World Cup (to be hosted by India in two years' time) and its state (WIFA) counterparts, said the federation needs to send a strong signal to the international football community by the course of action taken.

"We have to be firm and strict so that it does not impact the international community, whether it is referees or players, from participating in India. We are also governed by FIFA's (world football governing body) code of conduct.

"If tomorrow, our player was to go and play in another country and something was to happen to him or the referee, what would be our situation? We have to take very strong measures.

"As I said I am awaiting the match commissioner's report, which I expect to get by tomorrow. I am completely aghast at whatever has happened. I have reacted very strongly and also consult AFC and FIFA on the next course of action. Guidelines have been given and will act according to them," Patel said.

Patel also hit out at Bharat FC for withdrawing from the I-League after just one year.

"Bharat FC has done a great disservice to Indian football. They represent the Kalyani group which is a formidable group. They should not (have) come as a casual visitor to football.

"I gave it (I-League berth) because they were Kalyani and we thought they were passionate and had the wherewithal to do it. But they came as casual visitors and went away as casual visitors.

"In future I will be careful as to who are serious. They did a last-minute hash job (of forming a team), came last (in the league table) and left. We don't want such kind of people. We will be fine with 9 (teams in I-League)," he said.

"This year DSK group has started. We have taken DSK (on board) because of the kind of involvement they have even without (before) joining I-League. Already 2-3 people are talking on I-League," he added.

Patel also made it clear that in 2017, the FIFA Under-17 World Cup would get precedence in scheduling ahead of everything else, including the popular ISL whose September-December dates may clash with the global event.

"World (U-17) Cup precedes everything else. It is a tournament of national importance. I don't think it will clash (with ISL) as much. But even if it clashes, no calendar precedes U-17 World Cup.

"In future, I want to bid for Under-20 World Cup. The same (U-17) team has to progress to Under-20 World Cup. That's the plan and we will get it (Under-20 World Cup)," he emphasised.

Looking at the popularity of ISL, Patel said football is certainly on an upswing in the country.      "Football is picking up in India and ISL is a step in that direction. But my focus is grass-root development. This (Under-17) team is the future and India will do well at the international level when the bottom half is prepared. You can't change existing footballers much (in the way they play). The Under-17 World Cup was brought to India only with a view to encourage youngsters to take up the game."