Kerala Blasters abandoned their Indian Super League 2022-23 playoff match against Bengaluru FC after a quickly taken free-kick from Sunil Chhetri sparked a massive controversy at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday.
With the game tied at 0-0 in added time, Bengaluru were given a free-kick which Chhetri poked into the goal that sparked outrage from Kerala Blasters fans and coach Ivan Vukomanovic.
While the Blasters’ goalie Prabhsukhan Gill was still trying to get his wall sorted it, Chhetri took the free-kick quickly after which Bengaluru fans started to celebrate, and so did the players, but the Tuskers’ players surrounded the referee Crystal John.
In the aftermath, coach Vukomanovic asked his players to come off the field and they walked straight down the tunnel abandoning the playoff tie.
After confusion reigned supreme for more than 20 odd minutes, the match was finally called to a halt as Bengaluru progressed to the semifinals.
ALSO READ| ISL 2022-23, Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC Highlights: Bengaluru Advance to Semis, Kerala Blasters Abandon Match After Sunil Chhetri Goal
Fans meanwhile were left divided on Twitter after the controversial goal from Chhetri which fans compared to Ravichran Ashwin mankading Jos Butter in IPL.
Check how fans reacted:
what Sunil Chhetri did to Kerala Blasters FC in cricket terms #BFCKBFC #ISL pic.twitter.com/Csrr5YGNVZ— sohom (@AwaaraHoon) March 3, 2023
It’s called a quick free-kick, lads.Safe trip back, then. #WeAreBFC #NothingLikeIt #BFCKBFC https://t.co/FWSs5S8FsE— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) March 3, 2023
Today’s result, regardless of whether the goal was valid or not, has highlighted the lack of trust that players, coaches, and clubs have in Indian officials. Therefore, it is imperative that FSDL takes prompt action to address this issue !????#IndianFootball #ISL #BFCKBFC pic.twitter.com/JIiw47sS6M— IFTWC – Indian Football (@IFTWC) March 3, 2023
Referee Gives The Signal And The Player Shoots The Ball❌️Player Shoots The Ball And Referee Gives The Signal✅️
WTF Am I Witnessing Here? Huh❓️#ISL #LetsFootball #KBFC #BFCKBFC #YennumYellow #ഒന്നായിപോരാടാം #JuniTheAnalyst pic.twitter.com/hnbFCInWyQ
— Junius Dominic Robin (@JuniTheAnalyst) March 3, 2023
It being a serious offence, Ivan Vukomanovic & the players shouldn’t have walked off…But when one of the coaches in Indian football known for his great professionalism had to do it, it also asks questions on the state of refereeing in the league.#IndianFootball #ISL #BFCKBFC— Hari Thoyakkat (@harithoyakkat) March 3, 2023
After much deliberation, Bengaluru FC were given the victory following Kerala Blasters’ walk-off.
The win sees the Mighty Blues secure their semifinal place and they will take on the ISL shield winners Mumbai City FC in the first semifinal on 7 March, while the winners of the second playoff between ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC on Saturday will meet Hyderabad FC in the second semifinal.
Comments
0 comment