ANTONIO HABAS PUNCHES ROBERT PIRES
This was first big controversy of the ISL and it included some big names. Arsenal legend and then FC Goa’s marquee signing Robert Pires was allegedly punched in the face by ATK coach Antonio Lopez Habas in half-time during the match between the two sides at Margao on October 23. Furthermore, ATK striker Fikru headbutted FC Goa’s defender Gregory Arnolinin the closing stages of the game.
Habas was handed a four-match ban while Fikru and Pires were suspended for two games and all three were dished out Rs 5 lakh fines for breaching disciplinary code. 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 only go on to win the enthralling game 4-3 in extra-time despite holding a three-goal lead from the first leg.
The game saw two sending offs – the second being Chennaiyin’s marquee signing and former Italian World Cup winner Marco Materazzi -- who was given his marching orders in the first period of extra time. This match between North East United FC (NEUFC) and Chennaiyin FC ended up being one of the feistiest matches in the history of the ISL. The encounter on October 20 witnessed one red and 10 yellow cards being shown by the referee. Before the half time, NEUFC head coach Cesar Farias and his Chennaiyin counterpart Marco Materazzi were involved in a heated exchange from their respective touchlines. As a result, the match was interrupted for about five minutes. Following the final of ISL2 on December 20 in Margao which Chennaiyin FC won 3-2, FC Goa chose to skip the prize distribution ceremony. Chennaiyin marquee player Elano Blumer had been involved in an altercation with FC Goa’s officials and co-owners while he had gone to the team’s dugout after the game. Following this, FC Goa owner Dattaraj Salgaocar had filed an FIR against the former Brazil international based on which Blumer was detained at the Margao Police Station for nearly four hours before Chennaiyin arranged for his bail.
After findings proved Blumer’s innocence, FC Goa owners Srinivas Dempo and Salgaocar were banned for two and three ISL seasons respectively. Additionally, the Goa-based franchise was hit with a penalty, which meant the franchise will begin the third season of the competition with a 15 point deficit. Eventually the fine was reduced and sentences and points docking was over-turned. 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 the 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.