Kerala Blasters temporarily shuts down women's team after men's side fined by AIFF
The Hindu
Kerala Blasters temporarily shut down the women’s team owing to “financial crunches” arising out of the fine imposed by AIFF after the men’s side walked out of an ISL match
In a setback for women's football in the country, Kerala Blasters on Tuesday temporarily shut down their women's team owing to "financial crunches" arising out of sanctions imposed on the club after the men's side walked out of an Indian Super League playoff fixture last season.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had imposed a fine of ₹4 crore on the Blasters after the men's team walked out of the match against Bengaluru FC on March 3, protesting against a contentious Sunil Chhetri goal from a free kick.
"It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the temporary pause of our women's team. This decision has been necessitated by the recent financial sanctions imposed on our club by the football federation," Kerala Blasters said in a statement.
A couple of days back, the AIFF rejected the club's appeal against the fine. The federation also rejected Blasters coach Ivan Vukomanovic's appeal against the fine of ₹5 lakh and a 10-game ban imposed on him.
"After a very encouraging first season that saw our women's team achieve tremendous results, this year the club had plans for increased investments for our women's team," the statement read.
Indian women's team goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan and captain Ashalata Devi questioned the decision to punish the women footballers for their male counterparts' actions.
"So the men's team gets a fine for what they did and the money comes from the women's team budget by shutting it down? Great, that’s how women’s football will develop in india. Horrible!" Chauhan tweeted to which Ashalata replied "Horrible".