Chennai City FC's Katsumi Yusa subject to alleged racist remarks

The incident happened during the Indian side's match against Bangladeshi champions Bashundhara Kings in the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup.

Chennai City FC's Japanese midfielder, Katsumi Yusa was subject to alleged racist remarks on Thursday during their match against Bangladeshi champions, Bashundhara Kings at the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup 2019.

Having already lost their first game in the tournament against Malaysia side Terengganu FC, Akbar Nawas' men had to win against the Bangladesh Premier League champions Bashundhara Kings to keep their hopes of qualifying in the next round alive.

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During the 24th minute, Chennai City were awarded a free-kick, and Yusa decided to take the set-piece. In the meantime, a few words were exchanged between the player and the match referee, Lakmal Weerakkody, when the midfielder left the field and urged his teammates to do the same.

Katsumi rushed towards the referee with aggression but his teammates stopped him in his tracks and eventually was sent off. The game was halted for a considerable amount of time to sort out the differences between the players and officials. But it was later discovered that Katsumi Yusa was allegedly racially abused by the Sri Lankan match referee.

Tussle Between Officials From Two Teams

The game was full of controversial decisions as Bashundhara head coach Oscar Bruzon and the Chennai City officials also got in a scuffle following a rash tackle from Chennai City defender Mashoor Shareef. Later the issue almost became a fistfight with the referee intervening the situation and sending off both Akbar Nawas and Bruzon. Later in the game, Roberto Eslava was also sent off for a reckless tackle on Daniel Colindres as Chennai City was left with only nine players on field.

Bashundhara Kings started the game brightly with Mohamad Kdouh scoring the opening goal, however, an equalizer by Pedro Manzi restored parity for the Indian side.

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In the second half, Bashundhara came out with all guns blazing and took the lead once again when Bakhtyiar Duishobekov headed home from a sublime cross. Chennai City kept fighting and it was Mashoor who scored an excellent goal in the 71st minute to once again restore parity. However, Bashundhara always had an upper hand with Chennai City losing two of their players on the field. They reaped their reward in the 88th minute when Nauzet Santana failed to contain a powerful shot from Rabiul Hasan as Kdouh scored the winner from the rebound.

Having lost both their games now, Chennai City FC are now out of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup with a game to play against I-League rivals Gokulam Kerala FC.