Afghanistan stage walkout against Kyrgyz Republic in CAFA Nations Cup game

The video where the head coach is directing his players to leave the pitch is going viral across social media.

In a spectacular turn of events, the Afghanistan men’s national football team left the football field in protest while playing against Kyrgyz Republic. During the CAFA Nations Cup tie between the two sides, Abdullah Al-Mutairi stepped on the pitch and took his players off it after their opponents’ last-minute goal. 

The game was level at 0-0 when Kyrgyz Republic found the winner deep in injury time which gave them a huge chance of winning the match. However, a huge controversy took place immediately after the goal as Afghanistan’s head coach, in protest, asked his players to leave the playing area before the final whistle. Despite a few attempts by the referee to simmer down the heated situation, the former head coach of the Nepal men’s national team was not in a state to be convinced.

The sight that followed the walkout by the Afghanistan men’s national team was embarrassing. Kyrgyz Republic's players celebrated their opponents leaving the pitch while Abdullah Al-Mutairi applauded sarcastically.

The Kerala Blasters FC incident

This walkout by Afghanistan’s men’s national team reminds the footballing world of Indian Super League outfit Kerala Blasters FC’s walkout during the 2022-23 ISL season. In a playoff game against Bengaluru FC on 3 March 2023, KBFC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic staged a walkout along with his band of players in protest of Sunil Chhetri’s controversial goal from a quickly taken free-kick in extra-time.

Bengaluru FC were adjudged winners as Kerala Blasters FC forfeited the fixture. This incident had brought the game into disrepute according to the governing body for football. As punishment, both KBFC and their head coach were handed a hefty fine.

Opinion

One may not agree with a referee’s decision on a number of occasions. However, leaving the pitch in protest is simply unsportsmanlike behaviour. There is no place for such acts in football as it brings the game into disrepute and leaves a bad impression on the young players.