People in Goa bade a tearful farewell to
the Brazilian born striker Cristiano Junior, who collapsed and
died during a football game last week in Bangalore.
Hundreds of football lovers and his fellow players attended the
funeral procession of Dempo FC striker Cristiano Junior whose
body would be flown to Brazil, his homeland.
Body of the Brazilian-born player was taken home after
controversy over the cause of his death. A post-mortem said the
player, who comes from Minas Gerais state in Brazil, had died of
a cardiac arrest, but he was struck on the face by the rival
goalkeeper and his club and wife Juliano demanded a second
autopsy.
On Sunday, the state government had rejected a request of the
family members of Junior demanding a second post-mortem as he
fell unconscious seconds after being struck in the face by the
rival goalkeeper while scoring a goal.
A yet another report from Bangalore said Junior suffered no other
visible internal or external injuries.
The All-India Football Federation was heavily criticised for a
delay in taking the player to the hospital. Anthony, a former
football player, remembered Junior as a great player who had
worked hard to get his team status of national champion. "I saw
the entire game, he was playing so well. Last time also he played
so well in the national league match. He only got East Bengal as
the national champions. This time he was going to play for Dempo
we were all very happy but now are saddened at such an incident,"
said Anthony, a former football player.
Cristiano scored both goals to help Dempo FC beat Calcutta's
Mohun Bagan in the Federation Cup final. But, a huge controversy
has erupted over the collision with goalkeeper Subrata Pal.
The Federation has suspended referee SM Balu, blaming him for not
promptly calling an ambulance and not taking action against
goalkeeper Subrata Pal. Pal has been suspended pending a
disciplinary hearing for his foul on Cristiano. (ANI)