Reaction: Bengaluru FC ponder move away from embattled Kanteerava Stadium

The Blues have enlisted Pune's Balewadi Stadium as a backup venue for the upcoming season.

The reigning Indian Super League champions, Bengaluru FC find themselves in turmoil as the Blues could have to move out of the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. The club have also issued an official statement stating that the JSW Group-owned outfit have enlisted the Balewadi Stadium ahead of their AIFF deadline for stadium registration.

While the club look all set to shift base out of Bengaluru this season, the passionate fanbase shared their stories associated with the club on social media.

The West Block Blues are organizing protests against the Karnataka government through digital petitions to keep their beloved club in the city.

Here are some of the twitter reactions from the West Block Blues and Indian football fans in general:

I work in Pune, but I look forward to travelling to the fortress for our home matches. It's called THE FORTRESS for a reason. I sincerely hope that all our matches are played at Kanteerava, "Our one and only Home". https://t.co/bpcD1il5NY

— Kaushik (@kaushik_footy) September 18, 2019

I was hoping that it wouldn't have to come to this point. But now it has. Frankly, I've never been more worried about the thought of no BFC matches in the city anymore.The profound it has had on this city & even people outside of it is unreal. Here's some things about it.1/n https://t.co/UBArJdHJmX

— Vijay.R.B (@TheBaronVj) September 18, 2019

I am not going to give up yet. I'm not going to let go of that last bit of hope. Because if @bengalurufc has taught me anything is that it's not over until it's over. We Are BFC, and we ain't done. #WeAreBFC https://t.co/KoBIydU65F

— Aakanksha Singh Devi (@AakankshaSD) September 18, 2019

What @bengalurufc has done for Indian football in the last six years is special. To think that they should carry on doing it from anywhere else but the Kanteerava just doesn’t feel right. The champions deserve to play at home. @BSYBJP

— Mahesh Bhupathi (@Maheshbhupathi) September 19, 2019

For someone who has been to more than just a few @bengalurufc games at the Kanteerava, I can tell you this club and the Stadium means a lot to the city, the people & ofcourse myself. Let’s hope that doesn’t change. #bengalurufc

— Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) September 19, 2019

Praying with you! @bengalurufc Strange and difficult state of affairs. Hoping for the sake of BFC fans and @IndianFootball in general that this is resolved soon. Such uncertainty distracts from actually developing the sport. https://t.co/BA6fhC3xLv

— Akshay Tandon (@akshaytandon117) September 19, 2019

The club means the world to m, there are memories that will not fade away. It stands true for many, we @bengalurufc and @WestBlockBlues trust that there are a lot of good times coming our way. #WeAreBengaluru pic.twitter.com/bJvrCC5BlF

— Jose Dominic (@dominic_jd1991) September 19, 2019

Amidst the stadium conundrum, former Bengaluru FC player, CK Vineeth raised some questions regarding the issue on his twitter handle.

Why is there a football pitch inside the Kanteerava Stadium if a club can't play football there? This happened in Kerala first, and now in Bangalore. Why always us? With all this happening, everyone dreams of taking India to the FIFA World Cup.

— CK Vineeth (@ckvineeth) September 19, 2019

What's happening to Bengaluru FC isn't new. It's not even uncommon. Shit like this is flung at #indianfootball clubs all the time. BFC can survive this, but many with less money don't. It's time to realise how deep these issues are; no one is safe from the broken system we have.

— Chiranjit Ojha (@ChiranjitOjha) September 19, 2019

From 2013 to 2019. @bengalurufc gave 3 major championships in 6 years. Every year there was a trophy and championship. That's what this team did to our city and state and nation.Let us play, Let us make our city proud and our nation proud#letusplayatfortress@WestBlockBlues

— Alroy D'souza (@dalroy44) September 18, 2019

Kanteerava is not just a stadium it's an emotion.Kanteerava is not just an address it's a part of our identity Kanteerava for many of us epitomizes what Bengaluru stands for ...1/n pic.twitter.com/NhWbfn6z78

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]— akshay balachandra (@akki_unravelled) September 18, 2019

Now it remains to be seen whether this social media outrage is heard by the people who can make a difference as the Bengaluru FC club officials are still hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon. While the club prepares themselves for a new season the fans are hoping and praying to watch all the action from the stands of Kanteerava.