‘Don’t give 3 points to Real, or we’ll move court’

New Delhi, February 17 

Defending champions Minerva Punjab FC, who have decided not to travel to Srinagar for their I-League tie against Real Kashmir in the wake of the Pulwama terrorist attack, said it will consider moving court if three points were awarded to Real Kashmir for the match. The match is scheduled for Monday but Minerva Punjab said its foreign players had been advised by their respective countries' embassies to pull out following the attack.

“If three points are given to Real Kashmir for the match despite failing to provide security assurances, then we will appeal against the decision and consider moving court for relief,” Minerva Punjab FC said in a statement.

The club said it had not received the assurances it had sought regarding the security of its players.  “Minerva Punjab is ready to play the match at any safe venue. Minerva Punjab has asked home team and AIFF to produce written assurance/permission from Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI or Indian Army for the match to go ahead, which have not been given to us till now,” the press statement said.

“In fact, no written safety assurance has been given by any authority at all. Therefore, we cannot be expected to travel to Srinagar at our own risk. When foreign players are being advised not to travel to the region, how can the club force them to travel based on verbal assurances. We believe it is not too much for a team to ask for a safe match venue to play,” the club wrote. 

Venue won’t change: AIFF 

However, AIFF officials said the Match Commissioner had given his report on security arrangements, and that had been forwarded to Minerva Punjab. “We have forwarded the report of the Match Commissioner to Minerva Punjab. We have made all necessary arrangements and expecting the match to be played as scheduled,” said I-League CEO Sunando Dhar. “Real Kashmir, too, have foreign players. If they can stay there, can practise during the turbulent time, then why can't Minerva go there and play the match?” asked Dhar. — PTI

No written safety assurance has been given by any authority at all. Therefore, we cannot be expected to travel to Srinagar at our own risk. When foreign players are being advised not to travel to the region, how can the club force them to travel based on verbal assurances?  —Minerva Club

We have forwarded the report of the Match Commissioner to Minerva Punjab. We have made all necessary arrangements... Real Kashmir, too, have foreign players. If they can stay and practise there, then why can't Minerva go there and play the match. —Sunandho Dhar, I-league CEO