Kerala Blasters FC Set to Appeal AIFF Decision at Court of Arbitration in Sports

Kerala Blasters Appeal in CAS: 

In a recent development, Kerala Blasters FC has submitted the necessary documents to the Court of Arbitration in Sports (CAS) following a penalty imposed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) of 4 crore. The penalty stems from the team’s decision to abandon the Indian Super League (ISL) semifinal match against Bengaluru FC last season, citing dissatisfaction with the referee’s decision.

Controversy Surrounding the Match:

During the match, Bengaluru FC’s Sunil Chhetri scored a free kick in extra time, leading to a disagreement between Kerala Blasters FC’s manager, Ivan Vukomanovic, and the referee, Crystal John. The players from Kerala Blasters FC claim that the referee failed to blow the whistle, denying them the opportunity to form a defensive wall and prevent the goal scored by Chhetri.

Outrage on Decision Making:

Blasters fans strongly believe that the referee made an incorrect call by allowing Chhetri to take a quick free kick, which they argue was against the rules. They expressed their frustration with the ISL officials on various media platforms, criticizing their poor decision-making skills.

Manager’s Reaction and Fine Imposed:

Manager Ivan Vukomanovic was particularly displeased with the decision and promptly encouraged all players to leave the field. As a consequence, he was fined ₹5 lakh by the AIFF for his actions.

Appeal Rejected by AIFF Disciplinary Committee:

Initially, when Kerala Blasters FC requested an appeal, the AIFF Disciplinary Committee rejected their plea and instead ordered them to pay a substantial amount as a penalty.

Turning to the Court of Arbitration in Sports:

Subsequently, Kerala Blasters FC decided to take their case to the Court of Arbitration in Sports, the world’s largest sports forum for resolving disputes, located in Lausanne, Switzerland. The club’s owners, who have established businesses in Europe, find it feasible to seek justice through CAS due to the relatively lower costs associated with legal battles in the current circumstances.

Conclusion:

Kerala Blasters FC is poised to challenge the AIFF’s decision at the Court of Arbitration in Sports, hoping for a favorable outcome. Their submission of documents to CAS marks a significant step in their pursuit of justice regarding the controversial match against Bengaluru FC.