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'Junior died of cardiac arrest'

December 06, 2004 19:09 IST

Brazilian striker Cristiano Junior died following cardiac arrest, Bangalore Police Commissioner S Mariswamy said on Monday, quoting the post-mortem report.

"He died of cardiac arrest...he died on the spot," Mariswamy said in Bangalore.

Earlier, Victoria Hospital authorities had said it would take a few days to get the post-mortem report.

The Dempo striker had collapsed after slotting his second goal against Mohun Bagan in the Federation Cup Football Championship final at Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Sunday.

After netting the goal, Bagan goal-keeper Subrata Paul appeared to have nearly bumped into Junior with his hand apparently hitting the Brazilian striker.

Mariswamy discounted the possibility of Paul's blow being instrumental for the death of Junior.

"There is no evidence to suggest that," he said.

Even as the football fraternity tried to come to terms with the disaster, Dempo officials lodged a police complaint against Karnataka State Football Association for "negligence" in extending timely treatment to Junior.

The complaint lodged by Dempo's coach Armando Colaco said had Junior been taken to nearby Mallya hospital rather than Hosmat, which was two kms away from the stadium, his life could have been saved.

Police said they have filed a case under section 304 (A) of IPC relating to negligence against KSFA.

However, KSFA rejected the charge of medical negligence as "totally baseless" saying that two doctors were on duty at the ground.

KSFA President A R Khaleel said that a professional team like Dempo should have had their own team doctor and lashed out at the Goan outfit for trying to throw the blame on the organisers.

In Kolkata, Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia held Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Subrata Paul responsible for the death of Junior and demanded the 'keeper's suspension for "unsporting play".

Bhutia said this was not the first time that Paul had indulged in such on-field behaviour and called for stringent disciplinary action from AIFF against the goalkeeper.

Junior's body was flown to Goa this morning from where it will be taken back to Brazil for the funeral.

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