National anthem woes for Blasters

MUMBAI: Kerala Blasters are in trouble after some of their players were reported for keeping their right hand on the heart during the national anthem before Indian Super League (ISL) matches.

A complaint has been lodged with Kerala Police about the franchise players “disrespecting the national anthem” with the gesture.

Subsequently, the franchise was sent a letter, a copy of which is with HT, on October 31 by the assistant commissioner of police, special branch, Kochi City, warning that action would be taken against the franchise if the players continued to do so.

The letter stated that the “violation” was observed ahead of their October 14 match against Mumbai City FC.

The letter, sent to the CEO of the Kochi-based team, states that when players and player escorts kept their hand on the chest during the national anthem, the audience at Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium imitated them.

PROTOCOL

The letter instructs the franchise to announce through the public address system before every match that everyone in the stadium must “stand in attention” for the national anthem as per protocol.

It is also learnt that at a recent match commissioners’ meeting, team officials were asked to instruct their players to stand in attention during the national anthem and not put their hand on the heart. Kerala Blasters officials declined to comment on the issue.