Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters clashed against each other in the Indian Super League on Friday. However, the fans witnessed high drama as a brawl broke out between both teams during the playoff match, which was played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. After this, the Kerala players walked out of the ground leaving the live match midway in protest.
The incident happened during the extra time of the match. The brawl started over Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri‘s goal and then turned into a high-voltage drama. This was the first time in the history of the Indian Super League that a team walked out of the ground in protest against a decision.
About half an hour later, after the Kerala players had left the field, the match officials announced that Sunil Chhetri’s goal was fair and Bengaluru had won the match 1–0. With this victory, they reached the semi-finals, and now they will face Mumbai in the last four.
Sunil Chhetri broke the deadlock in the 98th minute
The whole incident happened in the 98th minute of extra time during the match. The referee offered a free kick to the Bengaluru team for a foul from outside the Kerala box. After this, the referee asked the Bangalore team to take the free kick as soon as possible. Three players, including Bengaluru’s Chhetri, were present close to the ball. Usually, when a free kick is taken, the referee builds a wall in front of the players of the opposing team. But nothing happened during that incident.
The Kerala goalkeeper was talking with his teammates after the referee’s whistle. By then Chhetri took the kick and the ball went inside the goalpost. Kerala players got furious after that and said that when their goalkeeper was not ready, how was permission given and all the players clashed with the referee. The Blasters’ manager Ivan Vukomanovic also spoke to the referee and then called his players off the field.
Here’s how fans reacted:
U can win like this only pecha sa kanjar marka …play and win that's called sports man spirit
— anish (@anishrs13) March 4, 2023
Cheaters gonna justify their cheating action lol ?
— GS (@GunjNSin) March 4, 2023
U can clearly see the ref. blowing the whistle, myre
— Ivin Lyju (@CallmeIvu) March 3, 2023
It is clearly not a goal bro. Sunil Chethri is a legend for indian football. But what he did today was not a good sportsman spirit.
— prifulnath (@prifulnath) March 3, 2023
Simple. Entire team walking out of the pitch wasn't needed, sort it out on the pitch. Sucha disgrace to the game. Period.
— Manoj Lad? (@BeardedRedDevil) March 3, 2023
Fake goal by bengluru fc
— sarath svs 98 (@sarath19981) March 3, 2023
Ye humare gali meh hota h. Jab samne wala cheating krein toh hum nikal lete ?
— AKASH TIWARI (@Aakassh_Tiwari) March 3, 2023
