NOT SO BEAUTIFUL, THIS GAME
ISL 1, 2014 HABAS PUNCHES ROBERT PIRES
This was the first big controversy of the ISL and it included some heavyweights of the game. Arsenal legend and then FC Goa’s marquee signing Robert Pires was allegedly punched in the face by Atletico de Kolkata coach Antonio Lopez Habas during half-time of their match in Margao on October 23. Furthermore, ATK striker Fikru had headbutted FC Goa’s defender Gregory Arnolin in the closing stages of the game. Habas was handed a hefty four-match ban while Fikru and Pires were suspended for two games. All three were asked to cough out ~5 lakh as fine for breaching the disciplinary code.
ISL 1, 2014 MATERAZZI SENT OFF IN EXPLOSIVE SEMIS
One of the most exciting encounters in the ISL till date was the second leg semi-final between Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters on December 17. Kerala would go on to win the enthralling match 4-3 in extra-time despite holding a massive three-goal lead from the first leg. However, the game was married by two sendoffs — the second garnering more hype as Chennaiyin’s marquee signing and former Italian World Cup winner Marco Materazzi was asked to leave the ground in the first period of extra time.
ISL 2, 2015 CARDS GALORE IN NEUFC’S HOME WIN
North East United FC (NEUFC) beat Chennaiyin FC 2-0 at home in a match that ended up to be one of the feistiest in the history of the ISL. The encounter on October 20 witnessed one red and 10 yellow cards shown by the referee. Before half-time, NEUFC head coach Cesar Farias and his Chennaiyin counterpart Marco Materazzi were involved in a heated exchange from their respective touchlines. This brought players and officials from both sides on the verge of trading blows, leading to a fiveminute interruption.
ISL 2, 2015 A VICTORY HARD TO DIGEST FOR ELANO
Following the final of ISL2 on December 20 in Margao that Chennaiyin FC won 3-2, FC Goa chose to skip the prize distribution ceremony. Chennaiyin marquee player Elano Blumer was allegedly involved in an altercation with FC Goa’s officials and co-owners while he was going to the team’s dugout after the game. Following this, FC Goa owner Dattaraj Salgaocar filed an FIR against the former Brazil international based on which Elano was detained at the Margao police station for nearly four hours before Chennaiyin FC arranged for his bail. After investigations proved Elano’s innocence, FC Goa co-owners Srinivas Dempo and Salgaocar were banned for two and three seasons respectively. Additionally, the Goa-based franchise was hit with a penalty, which meant the franchise were to begin the third season with a 15-point deficit. Eventually the fine was reduced and the punishment overturned.
ISL 4, 2017 BANS ON POPOVIC AND GREGORY
FC Pune City manager Ranko Popovic, who had become well known for his vocal outbursts, was banned for four games and fined ~10 lakh by the Indian Super League (ISL) for remarks against the match officials after his team’s 2-0 win over FC Goa on 23rd December 2017. Chennaiyin FC head coach John Gregory was also suspended for three matches and fined ~4 lakh for his remarks directed towards the referee during Chennaiyin FC’s match against Jamshedpur FC on 28th December 2017.