ISL mum, warm homecoming for Kerala Blasters

KOLKATA: Sanctions against Kerala Blasters, which could include suspension, are supposed to come into effect immediately but the Indian Super League (ISL) is yet to make it official. For forfeiting Friday’s play-off at Bengaluru FC, they are also likely to be punished by the disciplinary committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

The reports of referee Crystal John and match commissioner Amit Dharap will be considered by AIFF before deciding on the punishment. The league rulebook is a 94-page document. It states that if a club “refuses to continue to play or leaves the Field of Play (sic)/Stadium before the end of the match”, it shall “compensate the opponents and the league” and “be liable for an additional financial sanction, deduction of points and/or suspension by the league….”

The sanctions shall “come into effect immediately” but the club can appeal to the ISL Appeal Commission.

To the chants of “Ivan, Ivan,” and “we are with you”, Kerala Blasters, the team with the biggest fan base in ISL, were received at the Kochi airport on Saturday. Videos on Twitter showed coach Ivan Vukomanovic, who had called the players off the pitch, being given yellow roses and embraced by fans wearing team shirts.

The decision to walk off though did not find support among former ISL players, including striker Iain Hume, who is still popular in Kerala.

According to a Kerala Blasters official, Vukomanovic sent clips of the quick free kick by Sunil Chhetri, which sparked the controversy, to two referees in

Europe. Both said the goal should not have stood and one of them has officiated in the Champions League, said the team official. The official did not want to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

Referee John’s handling of the free kick was also questioned by an ISL referee. “Going by convention and, given that it is in a position from where there is a good chance of scoring, John should have marked the position of the wall and allowed the kick only on the whistle,” said the referee. The referee did not want to be named as match officials are not allowed to speak in public.

According to ISL’s website, at 11 games, John has been the most used in ISL9 in the panel of 15 referees.

ATKMB in semis

Goals from Hugo Boumous (36th) and Dimitri Petratos (58th) helped ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB) beat Odisha FC in an ISL play-off and seal a semi-final berth for the third successive season. They will play defending champions Hyderabad FC. ATKMB goalie Vishal Kaith had to be taken to hospital following an injury in the 66th minute.