New Delhi: Defending champions Minerva Punjab FC, who pulled out of their I-League clash against Real Kashmir in Srinagar citing security concerns, will get a re-match, the All India Football Federation has ruled but the debutant side has decided to challenge the order.
The February 18 game did not take place after Minerva refused to travel to Srinagar, insisting that their foreign players had been advised against it by their respective embassies in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack.
“With the current situation in Kashmir not conducive to conduct a match, and keeping in mind the current extraordinary situation as well as the desire of teams to play football on the field, the match stands rescheduled to be held after March 6, 2019, at a time and location feasible for AIFF, and the participating teams,” the AIFF said in a statement.
It is learnt, the match could be held in Delhi on March 12.
Officials in Real Kashmir said the club is likely to file an appeal against the decision and called it “against the laid down norms of FIFA”. The club, which is at present fourth in the I-League points table, cited a 2006 national Football League match between Air India and Fransa-Pax. (PTI)
