Deltin Group confirms bidding for majority stake in FC Goa

Mumbai/Panaji, July 16 (IANS) Confirming their interest in bidding for a majority stake in ISL's FC Goa football team, a senior official of the Mumbai-based Deltin Group said that negotiations were on and "it could go either way".

Speaking to IANS, Deltin Group's regional head in-charge of sales and marketing Shankar Subramaniam said: "Yes, that's true. We are bidding for the FC Goa football Team for majority stake. However, the negotiations are still on and we cannot say anything now. It can go either way."

He also said that more details about the deal would be available by next week.

Earlier on Saturday, some reports suggested that businessman Jaydev Mody's Deltin Group, which operates three offshore casinos as well as several hospitality enterprises in the coastal state, was keen on picking up a majority stake in FC Goa, a team which is co-promoted by Goan businessmen, Dattaraj Salgaocar and Srinivas Dempo, Videocon and Indian test team captain Virat Kohli.

Dempo avoided commenting on the issue.

FC Goa faces an uncertain future in the Indian Super League, with the team fined Rs 15 crore and docked 15 points in the upcoming season following a bitter altercation with ISL organizers in Season 2.

FC Goa promoters Dempo and Salgaocar, both of whom own about 30 per cent stake each in the team, were also involved in a punch-up with FC Chennaiyin captain and Brazilian midfielder Elano following the ISL final match in Goa last year, in which FC Goa narrowly lost.

As a result both co-owners were suspended by ISL's regulatory commission and the other penalties were imposed. FC Goa has however filed an appeal before the ISL's Appeals Commission.

--IANS

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