 "Kerala Blasters had walked out of an ISL game against Bengaluru FC over a contentious refereeing decision. ISL image")
Kerala Blasters had reportedly fined coach Ivan Vukomanovic Rs 1 crore for leading the team’s walkout against Bengaluru FC last season in the Indian Super League (ISL). The figure was disclosed in their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against All India Football Federation (AIFF) which was later dismissed.
In the appeal, as per Times of India, Kerala Blasters said, “… club opened an internal investigation and sanctioned the coach with a fine of USD 120,000 which demonstrates that the club took the incident seriously and took relevant measures.”
Vukomanovic had instructed the team to walk off the field against Bengaluru FC, after a controversial refereeing decision which allowed Sunil Chhetri to score from a quick free-kick in the fourth minute of extra time.
After Kerala Blasters’ appeal was turned down, they were sanctioned to pay the AIFF Rs. 4 crore which also covered the football federation’s legal expenses. AIFF’s disciplinary committee had accused Vukomanovic of “bringing the game into disrepute”.
While dismissing Kerala Blasters’ appeal, CAS noted that the club “considers the behaviour of its own coach who led the abandonment of the match to be a serious offence.”
“The club set a dangerous precedent with its behaviour. If such behaviour is not sanctioned properly with a deterrent sanction, such behaviour might occur again in future matches,” Arbitrator Benoit Pasquier said in the order.
Blasters had argued that the penalties imposed by AIFF on the club were arbitrary, excessive, and disproportionate. Defending their position, the club used Mohun Bagan’s decision not to take the field in the second half against East Bengal after one of their players was hit by a stone. Mohun Bagan were fined Rs 2 crore by AIFF for walking out.
AIFF, on their part, told CAS that there was no justification whatsoever for Kerala Blasters to leave the field during a match in contesting a referee’s decision.
“The safety and security of the players were not at stake at the match, in comparison to the Mohun Bagan case. Kerala Blasters just walked off the pitch in disagreement with the referees’ decision,” said AIFF in their submission.
The arbitrator stated that the degree of fault and motive of Kerala Blasters in asking for an abandonment are serious and must be faced with a fine that will prevent similar conduct.
“The motive in abandoning the match sets a dangerous precedent in Indian football but also in the world of football."
“It not only demonstrates a total lack of respect towards the authority of referees that officiate in matches but also towards the fans and commercial supporters that invest resources in the development of football,” said Pasquier.
Vukomanovic parted ways with the Blasters last month after a three-year stint during which he guided them to the final of the 2022 ISL season.