Real Kashmir, Gokulam involved in ugly spat

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 14

Real Kashmir FC and Gokulam Kerala FC today got involved in an angry war of words, on the eve of their I-League clash in Kozhikode. Real Kashmir claimed that their coach David Robertson and the team’s technical management was abused and threatened by Gokulam Kerala officials.

The Kashmir club posted photographs and videos of the alleged abuse, and later released a statement about the incident, threatening to pull out of the match. They claimed that the abuse happened after they complained about the lack of the transport facility and proper training ground for them.

“We have been asked to stay inside the hotel till tomorrow’s game. We haven’t been provided any official transport or proper training facilities before our clash tomorrow. Our coach and staff were abused by the officials of Gokulam Kerala FC,” a Real Kashmir statement said. “We need police protection and assurance that none of our players or staff members will be harmed. If we feel threatened, we may not play the game tomorrow.”

‘Manhandled CEO’

Gokulam FC also released a statement detailing their version of the events, alleging that the Kashmir team manhandled their CEO. “Gokulam Kerala FC CEO Ashok Kumar was manhandled by a bunch of Real Kashmir FC officials today at EMS Corporation Stadium,” the Gokulam statement said. “Real Kashmir FC was allotted Kozhikode Medical College ground for training after the inspection done by the Match Commissioner on Thursday. Due to hartal, we had difficulty in arranging transport to Medical College Ground on time. The training time was at 10am and the bus reached the hotel at 10.06am.”

“But instead of waiting for the bus, the whole Real Kashmir team barged into the stadium and started to make a melee. The strike and the difficulty to get transport were informed to them and the AIFF officially on Wednesday itself,” the statement read.

The statement said that when FC Gokulam’s CEO “requested them to leave the stadium, they manhandled our CEO and Kozhikode District Football Association official Hammeed”.

“Police have taken a statement of the events occurred at the stadium... We have officially complained to the AIFF about the misconduct of the Real Kashmir officials,” the statement added.

Report sought

However, despite all the bad blood, the match will be played tomorrow. I-League CEO Sunando Dhar has taken cognisance of the incident and has sought a report from match commissioner Sanjay Kumar.

“We have spoken to both the sides and they have given their consent to play the match,” Dhar said. “In the meantime, we will wait for match commissioner’s report and we will take further action based on that report. What is important is that we will have a match tomorrow.”