Kerala Blasters respond to AIFF fine and sanctions for walkout incident

Kerala Blasters have released a statement in response to the incident in the ISL semifinals, when they walked off the pitch against Bengaluru FC. The team ended up forfeiting the match, and filing a complaint against referee Crystal John, and his decision to let Sunil Chhetri’s quickly taken free kick goal to stand. 

The players did not have time to set up the wall, and the goalkeeper was not ready either. But the referee allowed Bengaluru FC to play on, and Chhetri took the opportunity to lob the ball into the back of the net. Kerala Blasters head coach Ivan Vukomanovic called his players back and decided to walk off in protest of the decision. 

Kerala Blasters respond to AIFF sanctions after ISL semifinal incident 

“We would like to express our sincerest regrets for the events that took place during our knockout match vs Bengaluru FC on March 3rd, 2023. We recognise that our decision to walk off the pitch prematurely was unfortunate and taken in the heat of the moment. We would like to reiterate our respect for the larger football fraternity and assure everyone that we will take necessary measures to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future,” the official statement read. 

Kerala Blasters have been fined Rs 4 crore by the ISL, while Vukomanovic has been banned from the dressing room and touchline for ten games. This is irrespective of whichever side he is coaching in an AIFF competition. He has also been asked to issue a public apology, while being fined Rs 5 lakh.