Kerala Blasters players stage walkout following controversial goal

This is the first time the ISL saw such an incident.

Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters’ playoff match, came to an unexpected halt, as the referee Crystal John made a controversial decision, that led to a goal.

The game was at the extra-time stage, and it nearly hit the 100-minute mark. The scoreline was 0-0, and the fixture had been pretty finely poised until this point. But things took a wild turn after Sunil Chettri and Bengaluru were awarded a free-kick.

While the Kerala Blasters players were preparing their wall for the free kick, and while the goalkeeper was off his line trying to arrange the wall, Sunil Chhetri wasted no time and took the free kick, and chipped the ball into the back of the net.

Following this, Kerala Blasters immediately protested. Their case being that the referee did not adhere to the required procedure required for the free kick.

“Still trying to figure out when the referee whistled or marked the distance of the wall,” Kerala Blasters tweeted just minutes after the incident.

When the referee didn’t entertain their demands, an angry Ivan Vukomanović ordered his team to not continue with the play, and they ultimate left the pitch.

What is the situation now?

After an intense 20 minutes, that was filled with sheer drama, there was much speculation all around as to what will follow. But, after much debate and discussion, the match commissioner finally advised the referee to blow the final whistle, as a result of which Bengaluru have now won the game 1-0, and are making their way into the semi-finals of the competition.

Kerala Blasters have officially forfeited the game, and have missed out on their opportunity to book a spot in the final four. However, the consequences to this will be harsh, Khel Now understands.