By Aafaque Hussain
SHILLONG: Taking strong note of Sunday’s imbroglio at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium when Shillong Lajong supporters created a ruckus over the controversial decision by the referee, the management of the Shillong Lajong Football Club (SLFC) has decided to conduct strict checking before allowing supporters to enter the stadium.
The situation in the last match between the SLFC and Dempo SC turned embarrassing after the capacity crowd at the stadium created an uproar over a controversial decision by the referee.
Speaking to The Shillong Times here on Monday, SLFC general secretary Larsing Ming said, “From now on people would be frisked before they enter the stadium.”
During Sunday’s match, Lajong went ahead in the 81st minute but the home team’s joy was short lived as Dempo’s Ranti Martin scored a stunner in the 88th minute.
Soon after the equalizer, the controversy erupted when referee SS Panda awarded a penalty to Dempo in the dying minutes of the match.
The decision irked the crowd since the referee had first allowed play on after the ball hit the hand of Lajong defender Weiladmi Passah. But after the Dempo striker hit the ball wide of the goal, the referee reversed his decision and awarded a penalty kick to the visiting team.
Sawian said that supporters would not be allowed to carry water bottles into the stadium to ensure that this kind of incident does not take place again.
The SLFC management would also have a meeting with the State police soon to chalk out precautionary and security measures ahead of Lajong’s next match on Saturday.