Has the fumble in the Officiating Created the Red Zone for Team Kashi and AIFF

Pertaining to the 2024-2025 I-League finals, 6 out of 12 teams have created a Red zone for the All India Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee. Churchill Brothers, Real Kashmir, Delhi FC, Sreenidi Deccan, Namdhari FC and Aizawi FC have jointly written a letter to AIFF, pointing out the unethical practices happening on the ground, while questioning the truthfulness of the AIFF’s officiating process.

Six teams have mentioned about six different misconducts of Inter Kashi team in the letter. While, 6 of the team agreed that the referring has been made in favour of team Kashi, irrespective of rulebook, highlighting the rigging in the game and bias towards Kashi team. Making the 6 teams to speculate that, “Inter Kashi has been in contact with various clubs and AIFF officials, through indirect communication, for the persuasion of favour towards them, leading to the unethical practices.”

The submitted letter to the disciplinary committee shades light on the evidence pointing out the inconsistency in the officiating and its impact on other matches. The letter clarifies how the referring done by the same referee in matches with Rajasthan United and Sreenidi Deccan with Inter Kashi was in favour of Kashi.

With decisions such as disallowing a goal in the 97th minute for Sreenidi Deccan, handball resulting in a goal for Rajasthan United, with clear goal scoring opportunity being denied for the team Namdhari. Furthermore, the display of red cards for the Delhi team-which was later overturned by the disciplinary committee. With a red card penalty towards Real Kashmir and abrupt halt of the game, leading with penalty for Aizawl player after his clean tackle and initiated counter attack by the referee. All of these aforementioned foul plays were witnessed in matches involving Inter Kashi.

Due to this, the appeal has been made to the disciplinary committee. The provisional leaders Churchil brothers may win the match, if the team Kashi won’t be awarded three points by the AIFF from the match against Namdhari. Last week’s match concluded with no winner being announced, leaving the I-league fans and teams to be curious about the committee’s action.

The appealed clubs have stated that they believe in the AIFF and disciplinary committee, wherein, the decision will represent the impartiality, fairness and ethics of the game, for which it stands for.