Mohammedan could be forced to play in empty home stadium after Blasters flag unruly fan behaviour
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Mohammedan Sporting could be slapped with a fine or be forced to play their home matches in an empty stadium if a disciplinary committee finds merit in a complaint of unruly fan behaviour filed by Kerala Blasters.
An All India Football Federation source said its disciplinary committee will investigate the complaint as and when it receives it. "If there is merit in the complaint, strict action will be taken. The penalty would depend on the severity of the matter. In extreme case, the club could be even made to play in an empty stadium," the AIFF source said.
Social media handles, mostly of Blasters fans, have shared videos from Sunday's ISL match at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan showing items flung across the away supporters' end and onto the ground, reportedly aimed at Blasters players. Water-filled bottles, sticks, chappals and other items were thrown at the travelling fans; at least two sustained injuries from the missile attack.
The game had been halted briefly following complaints from Blasters players, but it resumed after Mohammedan players and a section of the home support appealed to the irate crowd. Blasters won the match 2-1.
"Our team, including Abhik Chatterjee (CEO), is on the ground to ensure the safety of fans. As of now, all of them are out of the stadium. An official complaint has also been lodged with the league. Disgusting to see such unsavoury scenes," Nikhil B Nimmagadda, Director of Kerala Blasters, posted on X shortly after the match.
Abhik confirmed to Onmanorama that "the league will pursue necessary action with the home club and send a report to the federation for further treatment".