Adding to the saga of their walkout chaos in March 2023, Kerala Blasters have now lost the appeal made to CAS regarding the fine imposed on them by AIFF. The two-time ISL finalists asked CAS to reverse the punishments but the court has sided with the federation instead. Blasters are left with no choice but to accept the decision and will have to pay AIFF now. The team was found guilty of abandoning the ISL playoff match against Bengaluru midway and protesting the referee’s decision which was in alignment with the laws of the game.
The incident took place at Sree Kanteerava stadium after Sunil Chhetri converted a free-kick in extra time which was awarded by referee Crystal John without blowing the whistle to take it. Kerala Blasters (KBFC) protested the decision but to no avail. Coach Ivan Vukomanovic then took his team off the pitch and abandoned the match. It was an unforeseen event in ISL history. Blasters provided their case to the AIFF but the claims were dismissed. FSDL, the league body, also left it to the country’s football governing body to decide the case rather than making their own decision on it.
Read here in details as it happened:
The Punishments
The federation decided to punish Blasters for their unsporting behaviour, fining them ₹4 crore. Vukomanovic was also fined ₹5 lakhs with a 10-game touchline ban for instigating the walkout decision. AIFF also asked the club and the coach to make a public apology, failure to do so could have increased the amount of the fines imposed. Blasters argued that the punishments were harsh since the rules of AIFF and ISL did not permit the management to contact the club before making such decisions. The disciplinary committee stood by their decision. The Tuskers then decided to knock on the doors of CAS, the body that resolves sporting disputes around the world, in Switzerland to get a ruling in their favour.
Blasters lose case
Kerala Blasters' appeal was rejected by CAS a year after the walkout incident as they found AIFF punishments justifiable and considered the fine to be appropriate. The team is now forced to pay the fine of Rs. 4 crore in the stipulated period of two weeks as earlier stated. Not only that, Blasters will have to cover the legal fees of the AIFF it incurred fighting the case. This is bound to cause more financial problems for the club and can cause disruption ahead of the new season.
