Report: Robbie Fowler faces potential ban for racist remark against referee

The Englishman has previously also been involved in a controversy surrounding the referees' decisions.

SC East Bengal head coach Robbie Fowler could receive a lengthy stadium ban after he reportedly made a racist comment towards an Indian Super League (ISL) referee following the Red & Gold Brigaders’ 1-1 draw against FC Goa last week.

After being unimpressed by the level of refereeing in the game against the Gaurs, Fowler allegedly said that the refereeing in the league was ‘either Anti-English or Anti-East Bengal.' While the remark had reportedly been captured in video, the tape of that had been deleted before it could be assessed by the public.

Speaking about the incident, an ISL official told PTI, “The match commissioner has taken a strong note of the incident and reported the matter to the disciplinary committee which will take the decision after hearing Fowler's version on Wednesday evening.

“If he's proven guilty, he is liable for a minimum five-match ban and ₹6 lacs fine.”

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) disciplinary committee will allow Robbie Fowler to explain his version of the comments before making a final decision on whether to punish him or not. If he is given the five-match ban, the Englishman will not be present for East Bengal’s remaining games in the league phase of the ISL.

The standard of refereeing in the ISL has come under a lot of criticism this season, with coaches often taking the issue public. Recently, Stuart Baxter was sacked by Odisha FC for his extreme comments on the level of officiating as he said that his players "had to r*** someone or get r**** to get a penalty" in their 0-1 loss to Jamshedpur FC.

Robbie Fowler himself has been involved in controversy due to his comments against referees and his actions during games also got him suspended for East Bengal’s game against Bengaluru FC on January 9.

The former Liverpool striker also clashed with former FC Pune City interim coach and ISL pundit Pradhyum Reddy earlier this season, criticizing him for some of his comments made as an analyst. Due to his controversial nature, East Bengal’s technical director Tony Grant has often taken part in media interactions and been in the dugout as an added mentor to the squad.

East Bengal are currently 10th in the ISL table and eight points adrift of the playoffs spot in their first ever campaign in the league.