Real Kashmir FC alleges mistreatment on part of Gokulam Kerala ahead of I-League match

Real Kashmir FC alleged mistreatment on part of Gokulam Kerala FC and alleged that they were “deprived” of proper training facilities before their I-League match in Kozhikode.

The Kashmir club has even threatened to opt out of the match if they don’t get police protection.

Gokulam Kerala FC hit back alleging poor treatment and irresponsible behaviour from the Kashmir club.

RKFC head coach and staff being asked to leave training ground. ‘This is Kerala not Kashmir’ @realkashmirfc told. Strange. pic.twitter.com/kTjkqC1bEv

— Real Kashmir FC (@realkashmirfc) December 14, 2018

“An unfortunate incident happened today morning in Kozhikode in Kerala when the coach and other members of RKFC were abused and heckled by officials of Gokulam Kerala FC,” read a statement by Real Kashmir FC.

“As per protocol, the home team is supposed to provide a ground two days ahead of the main game for practice. However, RKFC was deprived of that. This morning no transport was provided to ferry the team from hotel to the ground and when they managed to reach themselves, the home team officials prevented physically from entering the ground.

“Abuses were hurled at the team members including their coach and finally the RKFC members were asked to leave the ground and stay indoors till the match tomorrow with Gokulam Kerala FC.

“There was no team bus, no proper training ground was provided by the host Gokulam Kerala FC, which is a mandatory requirement as per the guidelines of the I-League.”

This is Real Kashmir’s first season in the I-League after winning the second division last year while this is the second season when Gokulam are playing in the competition,” the statement further read.

Real Kashmir is making its debut in the I-League this season and have been in fine form–sitting at the third spot with 13 points from seven matches. Gokulam meanwhile are occupants of the seventh place with nine points from seven matches.

We condemn the treatment that has been met by our team members who have been asked to stay inside the hotel till tomorrow’s game.

“Our coach and staff was abused by the officials of Gokulam Kerala FC.

We need police protection and assurance that none of our players or staff members will be harmed.

“If we feel threatened, we may not play the game tomorrow. The matter has been taken up with appropriate authorities of law enforcement agencies as well as football federation,” Real Kashmir further said.

Gokulam Kerala issued a clarification. In a post on Twitter, they stated that a bus had been arranged for Real Kashmir to travel to the Medical College training ground. However, the Kashmir club “never took” the bus.

This is not a training ground. It’s a warm up area of the stadium, lol.

Errors in this tweet:

1. Had to = Chose to.
2. Not provided = refused by us.

Lights. Camera. Action. ??? https://t.co/wG0iiKzzMk

— Gokulam Kerala FC (@GokulamKeralaFC) December 14, 2018

The Kerala club further revealed that Real Kashmir took over the EMS Stadium–where training a day ahead of the match isn’t allowed. Gokulam even stated that officials from Real Kashmir hurled abuses and mistreated with the groundsmen.

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Today is ‘Harthal’ (Strike) organised by a political party. After a long previous night of arrangements to get the transport for both the teams, we managed to send the bus for RKFC. Medical college ground was booked for RKFCs training,” Gokulam wrote on their twitter handle.

“Before the bus arrived, RKFCs officials who are staying in a nearby hotel invaded the EMS Stadium, where training a day before the match is not allowed by any MC. To keep this in track, we refused to let them train in the EMS.

“RKFC officials stormed the FOP and manhandled the groundsman and threw his phone away when he tried to capture what Mr. Robertson and his club members tried to do. Note, Mr. Robertson called our CEO a ‘a fu* ba*’ for doing the things he had to do,” they said.