'Referee pagal hai kya' - Fans rage as Kerala Blasters walk out of knockout game against Bengaluru FC after controversial goal

Kerala Blasters vs Bengaluru FC (Image credit: Twitter)

Bengaluru FC advanced to the semi-finals of the Indian Super League (ISL) after a controversial 1-0 win over Kerala Blasters FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. Sunil Chhetri's goal in the seventh minute of extra time secured Bengaluru a semi-final berth, but Blasters were not happy with how the goal was executed.

After the goal, there was an argument between the Kerala players and the referee, but Ivan Vukomanovic's men left the field disappointed. While Blasters dominated possession in the first half, the hosts fired six shots in the opening 45 minutes, with just one on target.

In the 24th minute, Roy Krishna registered the only shot on target of the half from a tight angle. The second half was more of the same as the visitors held more of the ball and the hosts waited to attack. Blasters had a chance to score in the 53rd minute with a free kick but Adrian Luna couldn't put it into the net.

Kerala tried to attack in the last quarter of the game but a good defensive form saw the Bengaluru players deflected away the ball. Forward Dimitrios Diamantakos registered his side's first shot on target in the 83rd minute, but his header was easily claimed by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Blasters players were not ready for the free kick

The game went into extra-time and in the seventh minute, a quick free kick by the Indian captain flew into the net. However, the Kerala players felt that the referee did not blow the whistle and they were not ready when the kick was taken. After the goal was given, Ivan's team walked out of the pitch and Blaster’s captain Adrian Luna took off his arm-band in anger.

After the match, Chhetri reacted to the incident saying,

"I got the free-kick and I saw the opening. I told the referee I neither want the whistle nor do I want the wall. He asked me again and I repeated myself. I think Luna was blocking the chance and I think e knew it and yeah, it was one of the days it just goes in.”

However, there were mixed reactions on social media after Kerala Blasters decided to walk off the pitch following the referee's controversial decision. Majority of the fans supported Blasters' unfortunate ouster in the knock-out game and expressed outrage at the Indian captain's poor sportsmanship.

Let's take a look at some of the responses:

It is clearly not a goal bro. Sunil Chethri is a legend for indian football. But what he did today was not a good sportsman spirit.

— prifulnath (@prifulnath) March 3, 2023

Perfect decision by #KBFC#ShameonIndianFootball
Worst refereeing of Indian football💩💩💩💩

— BISHAL NEOGI (@bishal_neogi95) March 3, 2023

Last time Messi did that he got a yellow card. But in ISL the ref gave it as a goal🤡. Sad to see a team having to go out due to the ref. The thing is it's gonna happen to other teams too if this is entertained! . Only the favs will be backed. #KeralaBlasters #isl

— Adithya Biju (@Adithyabijuc) March 3, 2023

Sunil chetri is setting a good example to the future on how to score the goal in a dishonorable way. We don't have to play a match where rules are bended for one side

— Nandhu (@Nandhunair25) March 3, 2023

The line between GOAT and star player was visible today. Rules of the game matters more than the stats of a player. Disappointed with Sunil Chethri today…👎

— Luther 🇮🇳 (@ProudIn80215634) March 3, 2023

Replica of the match https://t.co/winlWY7qT7

— Tushar (@TheBarkingSoul) March 3, 2023

The match was fully rigged and the goal was unlawful. Fully support Kerala Blasters

— 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗙 𝗥𝗔𝟒 ✨ (@ra4asif) March 3, 2023

Kbfc must be banned.

— NirbhayatA Sarvatra. (Be) Fearless Everywhere. (@talipattu) March 3, 2023

Did a right thing,
Ivan & team shows the courage to do it,
we don’t need a win or trophy by suffering these kind of cheating from the officials itself, shame on #indiansuperleague - too bad !

— Muhsin (@MuhzinMuhammed6) March 3, 2023

We are setting the perfect example. We always do.. This is not about a goal. Its about the worst refereeing in a football league.. This is not the 1st time we are facing it.. Check how much time we complained against this kind of decisions. Check how many times we lost matches..

— Nithin Symon (@NS_9093) March 3, 2023

Simple. Entire team walking out of the pitch wasn't needed, sort it out on the pitch. Sucha disgrace to the game. Period.

— Manoj😈 (@BeardedRedDevil) March 3, 2023