Kerala Blasters Ban: AIFF Disciplinary Committee REJECTS Kerala Blaster's plea of REMATCH, confirms Sunil Chhetri's goal

Kerala Blasters Ban: Sunil Chhetri Goal: The Kerala Blasters FC protest about the Hero Indian Super League match against Bengaluru FC was dismissed by the AIFF Disciplinary Committee. In the same time, Sunil Chhetri’s contentious goal was validated by AIFF. Following the walkout, Ivan Vukomanovic and co. are expected to receive penalties under Article 58 of the AIFF Disciplinary Code. The CRO of the league confirmed that the goal stands under every circumstance. Follow Indian Super League and ISL 2022-23 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.

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Kerala Blasters Ban: AIFF Disciplinary Committee REJECTS Kerala Blaster’s plea of REMATCH, Chief Refereeing Officer confirms legitimacy of Sunil Chhetri’s goal – Follow LIVE

In its Protest, Kerala Blasters FC, who disputed a goal scored by Bengaluru FC off a free-kick, and which was declared legitimate by the referee, the club management said, “The Referee allowed a player from the Bengaluru FC to take a free-kick without blowing a whistle.” The Kerala Blasters also sought reliefs on two counts, saying, the match should be replayed and strict action should be taken against the said Referee.

AIFF Disciplinary Committee rejects Kerala Blasters’ Protest#IndianFootball ⚽

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 7, 2023

Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC: What Exactly Happened?

When Chettri was released down the right flank, the Blasters bench yelled angrily that he was offside. After some back and forth, the move went forward.
Chhetri was pulled down in the middle of the field, right outside the penalty area.
The Blasters defence was forming a wall while the referee remained at the location marking it out.
Chhetri looked up at the referee while the Blasters goalkeeper stood far from his line and attempted to set it up.
Everything but the ball stood still for a brief period of time.
The moment the ball went into the goal, everyone stopped moving.
Crystal John, the official, awarded the goal. Ivan Vukomanovic came onto the field in a rage and started yelling at John.
He phoned his squad and left after realising the referee wouldn’t reverse his decision.
At the corner flag closest to the tunnel, Bengaluru waited.
Bengaluru remained on the field while officials unsuccessfully attempted to have a conversation with the Blasters’ team.

Bengaluru won the match after regulation time expired because they had just gained a 1-0 lead thanks to the free kick. Regarding the incident, neither a comment from the Kerala Blasters nor one from the AIFF had been made public. Chhetri argued that his action was legitimate when speaking to the authorised broadcasters and at the press conference that followed the game.

Kerala Blasters Ban: AIFF Disciplinary Committee REJECTS Kerala Blaster’s plea of REMATCH, Chief Refereeing Officer confirms legitimacy of Sunil Chhetri’s goal – Follow LIVE

After considering the Protest and going through the Laws of the Game as well as the reports by the officials, the Committee said that it is of the view that the “Protest is not maintainable in law, as the conjoint comprehensive and holistic reading of the League Rules and the Code clearly provides that no protest can be entertained against a Referee’s decisions, since the said decisions are final and binding.” It further stated, “The facts of the present case depict that the incident does not even fall within the exception carved out in Article 70.5 of the Code. Thus, the present Protest letter/report/petition is dismissed.”