TRAU FC raises concerns over refereeing decisions in Durand Cup, seek match footage

TRAU FC’s team manager, Chetan Laisham, wrote a formal letter to AIFF and the Durand Cup committee.

Following back-to-back group stage fixtures in the Durand Cup 2025, TRAU FC has lodged an official complaint with the tournament’s organising and disciplinary committee and All India Football Federation (AIFF), citing controversial incidents from two different matches and requesting reviews along with appropriate action.

TRAU FC’s Team Manager, Chetan Laisham, submitted a formal letter highlighting what the club described as clear inconsistencies in officiating and disciplinary standards across the two games.

Also Read: Durand Cup 2025: Kolkata Derby headlines quarter-finals fixtures

‘Unfair’ decisions in match against Indian Navy FT

The first grievance stems from their Group F clash against the Indian Navy FT. In that match which the Imphal-based side believes to are clear discrepancies in officiating. They have requested AIFF to look after and review the referee decisions taken during the match and have also asked for a coy of the match footage.

“Several decisions on the field appeared highly questionable and had a serious impact on the game’s fairness. We cannot ignore these incidents, as they undermine the integrity of the competition. I urge AIFF to review the referee’s decisions from this match and take steps to ensure justice is done. We believe every team deserves a fair chance, free from any form of bias, ” the mail to AIFF read.

TRAU took an early lead through Nelson Singh, but the Sailors fought back with Pintu’s late equaliser and Shreyas’s stoppage-time winner. The match ended in a 2-1 loss for TRAU FC, thus ending their Durand Cup 2025 campaign.

Indecent celebration from Neroca FC’s Arunkumar Singh overlooked

The second incident relates to their Group E opener against NEROCA FC in the Imphal Derby. After scoring a stoppage-time equaliser, NEROCA’s Arunkumar Singh allegedly lowered his shorts while facing the stands in celebration.

TRAU labelled this as public indecency and disrespectful to the sport, especially as it occurred before more than 30,000 spectators, including the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur. They cited Law 12.3, which mandates a caution for provocative, offensive, or unsporting celebrations, and expressed surprise that no booking was issued for the act.

TRAU also cited their concern of being reduced to ten men in the 73rd minute after Dhanachandra Mutum received a second yellow card — and consequent red — for a 50-50 aerial challenge.

The club maintains that the contest for the ball was fair and that the decision failed to meet International Football Association Board (IFAB) Law 12 criteria for a caution, which requires the action to be careless, reckless, or to involve excessive force. TRAU insists none of these conditions applied, yet the dismissal significantly impacted the game.

Alleged disparity in officiating

In the letter, TRAU pointed out what it sees as a disparity, a player being sent off for a routine aerial challenge in one match, while misconduct in another fixture went unpunished.es not receive a booking. And thus made the appeal to the committees.

In their appeal, TRAU FC have requested three actions to be taken.

• First, that the second yellow issued to their player be reviewed, with access to match footage to ensure a fair decision was taken
• Secondly, disciplinary action should be taken against NEROCA FC’s Arun for his goal celebration
• Third, that the referee’s performance and misconduct be also reviewed for both incidents.

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