NorthEast United lodge complaint against Bengaluru FC for not playing with the right spirit

The Blues beat The Highlanders in the playoffs to reach this season's finale.

NorthEast United have lodged a complaint against Bengaluru FC and their players for not playing with the right spirit. The Highlanders have also appealed to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to give proper protection to the players in future.

The matter was raised after the incident which saw NorthEast United midfield Federico Gallego lying down on the field with anguish. The midfield went toe-to-toe with Bengaluru FC forward, Miku. The Uruguayan midfielder suffered a heavy blow in his shin bone resulting in multiple fractures. The player was immediately taken to the nearby hospital.

The Uruguay midfield has receive proper treatment and is now released by the hospital and will be travelling to Dubai for further recovery and rehabilitation and is hopeful of taking the field for the Highlanders next season.

The Highlanders want the AIFF to take serious actions in preserving the careers of the footballers in the league and providing them with proper security which they deserve. Apart from the Gallego incident which happened in the second leg of the first playoff, NorthEast United also highlighted 19 other incidents questioning the integrity of the league where similar playing style have taken place.

NorthEast United have seen a lot of ups and downs since their formation back in 2014. But this year under Eelco Schattorie they also qualified for the Playoffs for the first time in their history. The Highlanders had a great first leg at home winning the match against Bengaluru but due to several injury concerns, the Dutchman did not have some of his best players for the second leg which they lost and eventually failing to qualify for the finals.

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The Highlanders also had an issue at the end of the first leg as there was a tussle between Bengaluru FC midfielder Dimas Delgado and NorthEast United winger Nikhil Kadam. The fracas heated up and then there was involvement from NorthEast and Bengaluru FC assistant coaches Shaun Onteng and Gerrard Zaragoza respectively.

The Highlanders will now have to wait for the AIFF Disciplinary committee to take a call after seeking enough evidence of the issue. The federation have punished several players for not setting the right example on the field and breaking the spirit of the game and if Bengaluru FC players and staff are found guilty strict action awaits for them.