The All India Football Federation (AIFF) disciplinary committee has imposed a one-match ban on Kerala Blasters coach Ivan Vukomanovic for criticising the standard of refereeing in the Indian Super League (ISL).
He has also been slapped with a fine of Rs 50,000. As a result Vukomanovic will not be in the dugout when Blasters meet Punjab FC in an away fixture on Thursday.
The Serb had slammed the referees after the game against Chennaiyin FC in Kochi, which ended in a 3-3 draw. Vukomanvic pointed out an offside situation and a debatable second goal. "It was in front of the bench; the player was in an offside position, and there was another player influencing the goalkeeper. The referees haven't reacted at that time (first goal). I'm fed up; I don't want to talk about it anymore. Then the second goal, it's a clear foul. How can they not see it, the linesman? All this time, we are frustrated even though we want to stay positive," Vukomanovic said.
"These referees are not capable of managing the game, but in the end, it's not their fault. It's the fault of the guys who are educating them, and giving them a chance to be on the pitch. I'm sorry, but this year, the playoffs, trophies, whatever it is, won't be decided by the teams. It'll be decided by the referees. We are tired of talking about this. I hope they improve. This is killing the spirit of the game," he had commented.
The AIFF disciplinary committee had imposed a fine of Rs four crore on Blasters for walking off the pitch and thereby forfeiting their playoff against Bengaluru FC last season. Vukomanovic was also handed a 10-match ban following the walkout.
