FSDL lodges appeal against FC Goa point deduction

If FC Goa starts with a points tally of minus 15, it would effectively mean a seven team league as the Zico-coached team will practically not have any chance of making the knock-out stages even if they win all 14 matches.

FC Goa team director Shrinivas Dempo (R) and Dattaraj Salgaocar during a press conference in Mumbai.

With a 15 point deduction set to turn FC Goa’s next ISL football campaign into an exercise in futility, the organisers Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), a joint venture between IMG-Reliance and Star India, has appealed to members of the Regulatory Commission reconsider their decision.

If FC Goa starts with a points tally of minus 15, it would effectively mean a seven team league as the Zico-coached team will practically not have any chance of making the knock-out stages even if they win all 14 matches.

“FSDL feels that it would be uncompetitive for the team to start their Hero ISL 2016 season with a negative 15 points and will undoubtedly affect the morale of the team as well as the fans,” a press release from the organisers stated. “Indian football fans and in particular of FC Goa, should not have to bear such a heavy burden, for no fault of theirs.

"They have been very supportive of football, ISL and FC Goa, and the fans have been a good sport conducting themselves well in all matches held in Goa and turning out in large numbers to support ISL and football. FSDL believes that a relook at this aspect of the sanction is in the larger interest of football,” it further quoted.

“FSDL, therefore has appealed to the Appeals Panel that the action of individual owners should not affect the fans of FC Goa, and all teams must compete on the field evenly.”