SAFF Championship 2023: Igor Stimac sent off against Pakistan

The Croatian tried to flick the ball when an opposition player was attempting a throw-in.

Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac was shown a red card by referee Projjwol Chetri in the SAFF Championship game at Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.

The Incident happened in the closing minutes of the first half, when Pritam Kotal and Pakistani player Abdullah Iqbal were contesting for the ball. The ball went out, and the throw-in was awarded to Pakistan.

Pakistani player Abdullah Iqbal tried to take a quick throw, but Igor Stimac felt that the thrown-in was awarded wrongly to Pakistan and hence tried to snatch the ball while the thrown-in was being attempted. The Pakistani players were not happy with such antics by the Croatian, and chaos ensued, resulting in a fight between Indian and Pakistani players.

The Nepalese referee and senior players tried to calm the situation, but Igor Stimac was shown a red card. Pakistani assistant coach Torben Philip, too, was shown a yellow card as he was expressing his anger towards the Indian tactician.

India are currently 2-0 ahead in the game thanks to a first-half brace by Sunil Chhetri. Pakistani goalkeeper Hanif was the culprit for the first goal, as he missed the ball in attempting a kick from a pass off a Pakistani defender. Chhetri capitalised and rolled the ball into the net. India were awarded a penalty from a handball by a Pakistani defender, and the India captain slotted it past the goalkeeper.

The red card means the Indian head coach will at least miss the Nepal Game from the sidelines.