Former Santos, Flamengo, Galatasaray and Manchester City midfielder Elano was embroiled in controversy this weekend, when he was arrested shortly after helping Chennaiyin FC to an Indian SuperLeague final victory over F.C. Goa.
The Brazilian allegedly attacked F.C. Goa’s co-owner Dattaraj Salgoankar in the dugout after the game. Elano was arrested and taken to Margao police station and charged with “voluntarily causing hurt”, “wrongful restraint” and “intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace.”
The 34-year old was eventually bailed and his lawyer claimed that the decision to arrest and detain the player was an emotional one, due to FC Goa’s defeat, “This incident has brought a bad name and reputation for the image of Goa. This incident shouldn’t have happened and this is not the way frustration should be vented. This is an act of frustration.
“Defeat should be taken in a sporting spirit and this is not the way. I am also a FC Goa fan but this is not the way. You cannot make flimsy complaints and detain people. He is not a criminal to be detained this way.”
Elano was not obliged to surrender his passport and is free to return to Brazil now that the ISL season has finished, but he must return to face charges when summoned by the Goa court.
