Kerala Blasters FC has lost its appeal filed with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) challenging a Rs 4 crore fine slapped on the Indian Super League franchise by the All India Football Federation for their ‘walkout’ against Bengaluru FC during an ISL fixture last season.
The loss of its appeal means the club has been given a two-week deadline to fulfill its financial obligations, which include AIFF’s legal expenses incurred while fighting the case.
A senior AIFF official told Times of India that the AIFF’s decision has been vindicated by CAS. Kerala Blasters had argued that their management was not able to communicate with the team and hence sought a less severe punishment under the ethics rules of AIFF and ISL.
The AIFF’s disciplinary committee had accused Kerala Blasters’ coach, Ivan Vukomanovic, of “bringing the game into disrepute” following his decision to instruct the team to abandon the match against Bengaluru after a contentious refereeing call that led to Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri’s goal in a crucial game.
“The AIFF always had a strong case and this has now been reflected in the decision of CAS, which is the world’s premier forum for resolving sporting disputes,” said AIFF official told TOI.
The AIFF disciplinary committee had back then imposed a Rs 4 crore fine on Kerala Blasters as their assertion was that that abandonment of the game was contrary to the “principles of fair play, respect, and integrity”.
Kerala Blasters appealed against this decision, but the AIFF panel upheld the original penalty, asserting it as appropriate.
