Indian Super League 2022-23

Disciplinary proceedings will be undartaken to decide the fortunes of Kerala Blasters Franchise

The disciplinary council has started the proceedings to determine a possible penalty during an ISL 2023 game between Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC. Kerala had walked away from the field and expressed their frustrations over Sunil Chhetri’s free-kick goal during the game. The Blasters felt that they were hard done by the decision when it was adjudicated at that point in time.

Article 58 of the AIFF Disciplinary Code (of 2021) looks into the stoppage or discontinuation of matches. The team could be slapped with a fine of 6 Lakh INR and also can attract exclusion from competition in progress and/or exclusion from future competition. In the game, Bengaluru FC won the game with the solitary goal that was scored in the 97th minute.

The Kerala Blasters had earlier staged a walkout in protest over a controversial goal decision 

“The AIFF DC has initiated the process whether to impose sanctions on KBFC. A decision is likely in 10 days,” As quoted by NDTV Sports. “Deciding on whether their (KBFC’s) protest was maintainable or not and whether there would be sanction or not, the two issues are total different and not related to each other,”

“A decision on their protest has been given and now a decision on the sanction issue will come.” NDTV Sports quoted. The Blasters said that they had protested the AIFF which pertained to the decision of referee Crystal John that was ruled in favour of Sunil Chhetri. The Blasters who were under Adrian Luna the coach left the field of play and Bengaluru were declared the winners.

In a statement that was later given by the AIFF DC under Vaibhav Gaggar who had rejected the protest which was lodged earlier by the Blasters. According to Article 58.1: “If a team refuses to play a Match or to continue playing one which has begun, it has committed an offence. Penalty: forfeit of the Match; and fine of at least INR 6,00,000 (Rupees Six Lakh).” But Article 58.2 reads as: “In serious cases, the offence is aggravated. Penalty: forfeit of the Match; and fine of at least INR 6,00,000 (Rupees Six Lakhs); and disqualification from a competition in progress and/or exclusion from a future competition.”