Cristiano Júnior

Who was Cristiano Júnior?

Cristiano Sebastião de Lima Júnior was a striker for Dempo Sports Club, Panaji, Goa.

Júnior collided with Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Subrata Paul, in the 78th minute of the Federation Cup finals. While scoring his second goal after chasing the ball into the box, he collided with the keeper, staggered away and then collapsed. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. The game continued after Junior was taken off the field. He was dead on arrival at Hosmat Hospital, hospital officials said that no doctors were requested to be at the ground during the Federation Cup match, "At no time, was the hospital requested to provide doctors, and no agreement or contract for doctors was made." Dempo won the Cup 2-0.

Júnior, who was the highest paid footballer in India, signed up for Dempo in September 2004. He had only recently moved to Dempo on a transfer from Kolkata's East Bengal F.C. where he had formed an elite strike partnership with India's ace footballer Baichung Bhutia in helping his team to the league title in the 2003-2004 season.

Dempo have announced that they will retire Junior's #10 shirt. It filed a complaint of criminal negligence against Subrata Paul, Hosmat Hospital, and the Karnataka State Football Association, the local organizers. Paul was suspended for 2 months.