ISL 2025-26: Antonio Habas calls for probe into linesman’s decision after Jamshedpur FC clash

Inter Kashi suffered their first defeat in ISL history.

The JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur hosted a fierce contest as two undefeated teams led by two veteran coaches who locked horns against each other in ISL 2025-26.

The Red Miners were down to ten men after Vincy Baretto was sent off in just 19 minutes. But the Red Miners showed immense courage to not only concede a goal but also score a goal in the hour mark to seal another win and clinch all three points from a tight fixture.

A total of 8 cards were shown in the game, including 3 yellow cards to Inter Kashi, 4 yellow cards to Jamshedpur and a solitary direct red card to Vincy Baretto.

Inter Kashi came very close to netting the equalizer, but in the end, the Red Miners went on to clinch their fourth consecutive win of the season.

Habas reflects on refereeing decisions

After the match, Inter Kashi head coach, Antonio Lopez Habas, did not seem happy with the decisions of the referee and felt that the decision of the referees was one sided. He also alleged that the decisions of the linesman must be investigated fairly.

Even though Jamshedpur had more cards than Inter Kashi, Habas felt that many decisions of the referee did not favor Inter Kashi.

Throughout the second half, he seemed agitated from the sidelines and was even shown a yellow card by the referee for his complaint.

Habas said, “I think Inter Kashi were the better team throughout the ninety minutes. All decisions of the referee were against us. From the behavior of the linesman to all the decisions, it was impossible to watch.”

On being asked why he seemed furious from the sidelines, he said,” I spent 11 years in India, and I know some matches are impossible to win and today is impossible to win. I personally think that the decisions of the linesman must be investigated. I shouldn’t speak much about it.”

Habas is one of the most successful coaches in ISL history

The former Valencia and Celta Vigo gaffer has been associated with Indian football ever since the inception of the Indian Super League.

He was the head coach of Atletico de Kolkata, the team that went on to win the inaugural edition of the ISL in 2014.

Following his stints with ATK, FC Pune City and Mohun Bagan Super Giant, he joined Inter Kashi and helped the Varanasi outfit secure promotion to the Indian topflight after winning the I League.

The Kashi Warriors had a great start to ISL, and it was their first ever defeat in this competition after going down to ten-man Jamshedpur.

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