ATK fined for ISL semi fracas, Belencoso suspended for two matches
Kolkata, Dec 18 (IANS) The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) disciplinary committee has fined Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) for misconduct.
ATK was fined Rs 7 lakh on Saturday for two separate incidents for an after-match brawl in their second semi-final away against Mumbai City FC on Tuesday.
ATK’s Spanish striker Juan Belencoso hit Mumbai’s Leo Costa to start off the fracas. He was suspended for two matches, according to AIFF’s disciplinary code Articles 53A and 53B.
Belencoso, if retained, will miss ATK’s opening game in season four. He was also fined Rs 3 lakh. The amount needs to be deposited with AIFF within 10 days.
A statement from ISL said the AIFF disciplinary committee is reviewing the charges against Mumbai City FC.
The match took an ugly turn after the final whistle following an altercation between Belencoso and Costa.
Brazilian Leo Costa clipped Belencoso, triggering the brawl as the latter reciprocated with his head butt.
This prompted angry reactions from both sides.
Several players got involved in separate arguments. Thiago Cunha, in a worst of all reaction, jumped with both feet off the ground and attempted a kung-fu kick at Belencoso.
A hoard of Kolkata players and backroom staff members chased him as he tried to escape the backlash, capping off scarcely-believable scenes.
