ISL: Elano out on bail, free to leave country

PANAJI: Chennaiyin FC captain and marquee player Elano Blumer is free to leave the country after securing bail in an assault and abuse case filed by FC Goa co-owner Dattaraj Salgaocar. The former Manchester City midfielder spent three hours at the Margao police station after his arrest, following Chennaiyin FC's 3-2 win over FC Goa in the final of the Indian Super League at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Sunday.Margao police initially insisted that Elano should surrender his passport as a pre-requisite for his release but let him go after obtaining surety.
"The police told him to hand over his passport but there is no legal mandate behind that request. We have not handed over the passport," Chennaiyin FC's lawyer Rajeev Gomes told TOI on Monday. According to police sources, Elano will have to report for the hearing as and when the case comes up for hearing but Gomes said his client can secure an exemption. "These offences are summons triable; it is not even necessary for him to attend court. If he authorizes the lawyer, they can appear on his behalf and finish the summons trial," said Gomes.
Meanwhile, the police continued with their investigations into the assault case as a police team from Margao along with two officials from FC Goa visited the Nehru stadium in Fatorda. "They just went to the place where it occurred and tried to get a clearer picture of what actually happened after the match. The manager, a witness in this case, and the security liaison officer were present," said a police source. The Margao police are acting on a complaint from FC Goa co-owner Dattaraj Salgaocar who alleged that Elano caught hold of his neck, assaulted and abused him after Goa's loss.
A first information report (FIR) was lodged immediately after Sunday's final. "After the game when I went back to our dug-out, I saw Elano and went to greet him. I told him that I quite like the way he plays. He caught me by the neck and assaulted me with his elbow. I almost fell down. All players were upset and I (later) filed an FIR," said Dattaraj.
Margao police arrived at Fatorda no sooner Dattaraj lodged an FIR but had to wait for three hours before they could take the Brazilian midfielder to the police station where he was questioned, placed under arrest and released on bail after three hours.
According to sources, Margao police waited patiently outside the dressing room for Elano to step out and surrender but after a three-hour wait told Chennaiyin FC and ISL officials that if the Brazilian did not step out, they would force their entry inside the dressing room. Elano came out within five minutes and was driven to the police station.