Kolkata : Kerala Blasters defeated home team Mohammedan SC at Kishore Bharati, Kolkata 2-1 in ISL 2024-25 , recording 1st away win in 27 games. However, this match sparked wide controversy over Mohammedan SC fans showing their frustration over a controversial referee decision in the match as they took to throwing bottles and physical objects on the Pitch.
What Happened In The Match?
2 goals in 2nd half from Kwame Peprah & Jesus Jimenez saw Mikael Stahre’s Kerala secure their 3rd consecutive victory in Kolkata, a feat they had never achieved in the competition. Mirjalol Kasimov handed Mohammedan SC the lead, but the visitors showed resilience in the 2nd half to produce a come-from-behind victory.
What angered the crowd ?
A penalty decision that went against Mohammedan SC did not go well with the home fans, after Hormipam Ruivah of Kerala Blasters seemingly struck Mohammedan’s Carlos Franca on the elbow inside the penalty box. The referee, however, decided against the penalty, and in turn handed a yellow card to Franca for a challenge on Hormipam in the 66th minute.
The Violent Crowd Reactions
Things did not go well with the Mohammedan fans and supporters as they got angry, frustrated and therefore the gallery saw a violent turn.
The tension among the crowd elevated in the 83rd minute, eight minutes after Jimenez had given Kerala the lead. A section of the Blasters’ fans began celebrating in front of Mohammedan SC fans in enthusiastic fashion, but the home crowd were far from pleased and began throwing bottles and also allegedly abusing the Blasters fans.
Fans, allegedly urinated in plastic bottles, filled them with water, and threw them towards Blasters fans and the Football Ground especially targeting referee and opposition players. Along with bottles they threw stones, sticks, slippers, wooden logs, and other physical objects. Fire Crackers were also set off the stands, targeting the Pitch.
Few Mohammedan fans could also been seen climbing up the stands and gates to invade the Pitch, and verbally abused the referee. Securities faced difficulties in controlling the situations. Blasters fans were also attacked and verbally abused.
The play had to be halted as the officials instructed , and players returned back to their technical safe arena waiting for things to get normal.
Samad Ali Mallick, Mohammedan’s local player requested the crowd to calm down while some fans of the host side, with megaphones followed him, requesting peace.
The match eventually resumed as the Blasters managed to keep their lead intact, winning the contest 2-1 and climbing to fifth in the standings.
The Match which was otherwise thrilling, apart from poor referring, raised questions over security and unpeaceful or unsafe environment in ISL games especially involving Mohammedan fans, who’re known for such violent actions in past.
Authorities are expected to investigate the incident, with possible sanctions for Mohammedan Sporting if fan misconduct is proven to have violated league regulations.
Kerala released a statement in their social media handle regarding misconduct and safety of their players and fans during the match.
Mohammedan SC are yet to release an official statement, but further disciplinary action could follow after the league’s review in today’s match.
