Kerala Blasters Football Club on Friday expressed “deep disappointment” and concern over an incident of alleged racism throughout its Indian Super League match with Bengaluru FC in Kochi.
Reportedly, Bengaluru FC participant Ryan Williams had allegedly racially abused Kerala Blasters defender Aiban Dohling throughout the inaugural match of the league’s tenth season on the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on Thursday.
The alleged incident happened on the 82nd minute of the match during which Kerala Blasters received.
“It has come to our attention that during the match, one of our players was subjected to a disrespectful gesture by a Bengaluru FC player. We want to make it abundantly clear that there is absolutely no room for racist and derogatory behaviour in our club and in the sport. Racism, discrimination, and disrespectful actions have no place on the football pitch or anywhere else,” Kerala Blasters stated in an announcement.
The membership additionally stated that an official criticism has been lodged with the suitable authorities urging them to conduct an intensive investigation into the incident.
“Kerala Blasters wish to express our deep disappointment and concern with a regrettable incident that occurred during our opening match against Bengaluru FC,” the assertion stated.
The membership stated that soccer is a sport that “unites people from diverse backgrounds and cultures” and was a platform for mutual respect.
“We remain committed to promoting a culture of diversity, inclusion, and respect in football and in our club,” it stated, urging Bengaluru FC to take applicable motion.
The video of the alleged incident has gone viral on social media.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
