“When will women’s football be fully respected,”Twitter condemns Kerala Blasters’ decision

The Yellow Army blamed the AIFF sanctions for their call to temporarily suspend the Women’s team.

In a club statement released today, Kerala Blasters FC announced a temporary pause on their women’s team, citing the recent financial sanctions imposed on the club by AIFF as the reason behind this decision.

On March 3rd, the Blasters men’s side walked off the pitch in their playoff encounter against Bengaluru FC, following a contentious free-kick goal by Sunil Chhetri in extra time. In response, AIFF fined the club ₹4 crore, in addition to imposing a fine of ₹5 lakh and a 10-game ban on manager Ivan Vukomanovic which was upheld despite Blasters’ appeal.

The decision by the Kochi-based club predictably drew ire from several corners of the footballing world, especially those concerned with the development of the women’s game.

Swedish goalkeeper and legend Hedvig Lindahl was one of the biggest names to voice her opinion on the issue:

When will women's football be fully respected? https://t.co/IkQa7czdzq

— Hedvig Lindahl (@hedvig_lindahl) June 6, 2023

Blue Tigresses goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan also made her displeasure clear and drew attention to the injustice of punishing a women’s team for their male counterparts’ fault:

So the men’s team gets a fine for what they did and the money comes from the women’s team budget by shutting it down? Great, that’s how women’s football will develop in india. Horrible! https://t.co/0Wxh4xM6Ht

— Aditi Chauhan GK 🇮🇳 (@aditi03chauhan) June 6, 2023

Experienced football media personality Kevin Hatchard used this incident and retweeted the club statement to make a point on the steps that can be taken in future to prevent such attacks on women’s football:

If you have a women’s team, that funding should be ring-fenced. You shouldn’t start a women’s team and then just ditch it at the first sign of financial trouble. It’s not a luxury or a piece of PR – it should be a long-term commitment. Every club should understand this. https://t.co/b7QQvCEhJ2

— Kevin Hatchard 🎙⚽️ (@kevinhatchard) June 6, 2023

Understandably, many Kerala and Indian football fans were also disappointed with the club’s move and got on to social media to make their frustrations clear. 

Disappointing move from the club. it sends a negative message about the value of women's sports.#KBFC https://t.co/3C9bvNNbVg

— Dhananjayan (@_DhananJayan) June 6, 2023

When it comes to women's football Gokulam Kerala FC is the best club not Just in Kerala but in India. Other clubs from Kerala can't even come close to GKFC in near future.👍#IndianFootball https://t.co/nmSHtYrfoG

— M🇮🇳 (⚽fan) (@MlovesWSports) June 6, 2023

Some KBFC fans made their anger against the management and disapproval of the decision clear in the comments under the official club handle’s tweet

Absolutely disgusting decision from the management! They should be ashamed of themselves! And we all know that you guys have been planning to do this way before the sanctions came! The fine isnjust an excuse! If you cant handle a club, sell it to those who can!! #KBFCWomen #KBFC

— Midhun Jose (@xtremeproximity) June 6, 2023

Theories are floating around in the Twitter-sphere as well with some fans suggesting that KBFC might have used the AIFF sanction as a smokescreen for a decision they had made in advance.

Bs excuse. The women team page went inactive months before the men team incident. And maintaining a women's team with only local talents don't cost much. https://t.co/0DWd21ZrIl

— Kaz (@KBtian_) June 6, 2023

I know for a fact that this decision is not based on our financial sanctions. I've been hearing the romours of women's team dismantling from the moment afc removed the mandantion on women's team for afc Liscense.The statement is a PR stunt and lie.@NikhilB1818 @KeralaBlasters https://t.co/umsJ2PP2IC

— Vijay peku (@Vijaypeku) June 6, 2023

Twitter was afloat with many opinions today but the overwhelming sentiment was clear: Kerala Blasters FC’s club statement has set a dark precedent for women’s football in India.

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