New Delhi ∙ Kerala Blasters coach Ivan Vukomanovic’s explanation that the team was withdrawn during the playoff match once morest Bengaluru FC this time is a continuation of the protest once morest the wrong decisions taken by the referee Crystal John, including in the last ISL final once morest Kerala Blasters. Evan made the announcement in response to a notice issued by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) over the controversy surrounding the ISL football play-off match once morest Bengaluru FC.
Ivan explained that the decision to withdraw the team was not only the wrong decision in the one match once morest Bengaluru. The AIFF Disciplinary Committee sent a notice to Evan judging that the coach’s interference was the reason why the match had to be stopped halfway through. The AIFF has accused the Blasters coach of defaming football itself.
However, Ivan’s reply to the federation was that the team was called back on the spur of the moment. The Blasters coach replied that he had to take tough decisions including withdrawing the team due to the mistakes made by the same referee (Crystal John) in the match once morest Hyderabad FC in the last ISL final. Blasters protested that day too. But nothing happened. After the defeat in the final that day, the players and fans might not be pacified. This time once more the same referee might not bear to repeat the mistake in a crucial match’ – a national media reported quoting ISL officials regarding the remark in Ivan’s reply.
The coach explained that following the controversial goal scored by Sunil Chhetri during the match once morest Bengaluru, he first called the players closer. After this, Chhetri’s goal was illegal and the officials were asked to review it. But the coach explained that they ignored this request.
“You can’t take a quick free kick like this following a break of almost half a minute. When the referee made such a big mistake by allowing Chhetri’s goal in violation of all the rules of the game, the coach thought that he should stick to his position. Blasters never wanted to give up the match midway. But the match officials did not try to consider or address the team’s complaint’ – the report states, quoting details of Ivan’s reply.
Meanwhile, the report given by the referee and the match commissioner states that he tried to explain the situation in which the goal might have been allowed by seeing Vukomanovic face-to-face.
“I told Blasters manager Manish Anupkumar Kochhar that if the head coach has anything to say, I can talk to him near the touch line. But the Blasters coach rejected my suggestion and returned to the dressing room with his teammates and staff’ – the referee’s report says.
Match Commissioner Amit Dharap’s report also explains that although the team manager tried to convince the head coach of the consequences if the Blasters team members who boycotted the match did not return to the field, the Blasters team remained in the dressing room.
At the same time, the Blasters coach has included in his reply the explanation given by various players and former referees stating that the opposing team cannot allow a quick free kick if there is a gap of more than 20 seconds. Former Director of Indian Football Federation Referees Gautham Kar is also in favor of the Blasters coach in this regard. This is also included in the reply.
English Summary: Ivan Vukomanovic gets charge notice, says ‘culmination of circumstances’ behind walkout
