Spanish soccer player faces possible sanction in Indian league for biting
New Delhi, Feb 15 (efe-epa)- Chennaiyin FC of the Indian Super League has filed an official complaint against Spanish player Edu Bedia, who plays as midfielder for Goa FC, for allegedly biting one of its players during a match over the weekend.
The incident occurred on Saturday when Chennaiyin FC midfielder Deepak Tangri fell on top of Bedia as they fought for the ball with the scores level at 2-2 in the 96th minute of the match.
“The club has filed an official protest form as well as lodged an official complaint report to the Indian Super League and All India Football Federation on the incident of FC Goa player Edu Bedia biting the player Deepak Tangri in the match between both teams on Saturday February 13,” a source close to Chennaiyin FC, who asked not to be named, told EFE.
“The club has requested Indian Super League and AIFF (All India Football Federation) to inquire into the incident as per the AIFF Disciplinary Code, and punish Edu Bedia strictly for his disgraceful actions,” he said.
According to the AIFF Disciplinary Code, an offense of this nature could lead to a prolonged ban and a fine.
Chennaiyin FC has also presented video evidence along with the complaint.
In the footage of the match, held at Fatorda stadium in the western state of Goa, one can see Bedia’s face go near the side of the abdomen of Tangri, who soon after lets out an expression of pain, while the latter was trying to get up.
On Sunday, the Spanish player, however, denied having bit Tangri, and claimed that the footage gave a very different impression from what actually happened.
“I want to clarify that on TV it looks like I bite an opponent player when there is only a small struggle and a gesture of anger, but never a bite. Maybe the images make things the way they are,” Bedia posted on Instagram.
However, he added that Deepak Tangri “knows what really happened.”
Neither of two teams involved has made an official statement about the incident, which has attracted strong criticism from commentators and people from the world of sports.
Bedia, who has played for Real Zaragoza in the Spanish La Liga, joined FC Goa in the fourth season of the Indian Super League in 2017 and has been with the club ever since.
The Spanish midfielder has made 51 appearances for the Goa club, during which he has scored nine goals and made as many number of assists, according data from the club. EFE-EPA
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