The AIFF Appeal Committee rejected the appeal filed by ISL side Kerala Blasters and their head coach Ivan Vukomanovic of their punishments on Friday, 2nd June 2023.
Kerala Blasters appealed the decision of the Rs 4 crore fine imposed on them for misconduct and abandonment of their game against Bengaluru FC in the Hero Indian Super League playoffs on March 3, 2023. Vukomanovic also appealed against the fine of Rs 5 lakh and a 10-game ban slapped on him.
However, the committee headed by chairperson Akshay Jaitly rejected both appeals upholding the initial decision. Both Kerala Blasters and the coach are required to pay the respective fines within two weeks. Earlier, the pair avoided an increase in their fine amount by publicly apologizing for their walkout.
Why Kerala Blasters are punished?
The AIFF Disciplinary Committee imposed severe fines on Kerala Blasters and their coach with the Serbian also getting a 10-match ban in addition on March 31, 2023. They received the punishment after Ivan Vukomanovic called his team off the pitch and back to the dressing room in the middle of extra time against arch-rivals Bengaluru FC in the playoff match.
The controversial incident occurred after Bengaluru captain Sunil Chhetri scored from a free-kick that the Tuskers thought was illegitimate. After the referee stuck with his decision and refuted the protests, Kerala Blasters abandoned the match giving the Blues a bye to the ISL semifinals.
A committee was set up soon after to look into the matter. It was declared that awarding the goal was the correct decision made by the official respecting the laws of the game. The protest filed by the club against the goal decision was rejected and the punishments were given. They were allowed to appeal the decisions taken.
Appeals Rejected
In its appeal, the club argued for levity with regard to the fine and asked that it be reduced to the minimum amount for abandoning the match. Vukomanovic demanded the fine and his match bans are removed entirely upon review by the AIFF Appeal Committee. The Committee denied the appeals. For Kerala Blasters, the Appeal Committee said, ‘’The appeal of the appellant team is denied and that Kerala Blasters FC is instructed to pay the fine of Rs. 4 crores imposed by the Disciplinary Committee.”
The decision also stood for Vukomanovic in which it was said, this Committee holds that the appeal of the Appellant Coach is denied and that Mr Ivan Vukomanovic is instructed to pay the fine of Rs. 5 lakhs and serve the suspension for 10 matches and the ban from being a part of the team dressing room and team bench, irrespective of the team he is contracted with. Any match for which such suspension and ban have already been served shall count towards compliance with this decision.”
Read more here for the full story: What punishments Kerala Blasters could face after the walkout?
