Atletico de Kolkata coach punched Pires: Zico

FC Goa coach Zico has claimed that Antonio Habas, coach of Atletico de Kolkata, punched Goa's marquee player Robert Pires during their Indian Super League tie at the Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Thursday.

According to Zico, the incident happened as the teams walked into the tunnel after the first half. "Pires told me he was punched on the face by the Atletico coach and it is very shameful. I am telling you what my players told me and I didn't see that myself but I don't think that Pires will lie and say something that didn't happen," said Zico.

FC Goa were leading by a goal in the first half, but two goals from Atletico's Cavin Lobo saw them succumb to another defeat.

"When the team entered the field in the second half, they were very nervous and during the halftime we were only trying to control their nerves and calm them down," said Zico.

An onlooker said that as the two were walking towards to tunnel, they were seen exchanging harsh words, before the argument continued near the dressing room.

In an ill-tempered match, Atletico's Fikru Teferra and Goa's Gregory Arnolin got into a tussle. The former even headbutted the latter. However, both escaped punishment as referee possibly did not see the incident.

About the incident, Zico said, "Well, FC Goa came to play football. In the last three games, no players got expelled we had got only two yellow cards. So my team goes to play football on the field. Maybe the other teams come on the field to play American football. But what happened today was very regretful."