Chaos erupted yesterday as the Kerala Super League match between Malappuram FC and Forca Kochi was abandoned due to unplayable weather conditions, leaving fans from both sides frustrated and angry.
Supporters who traveled long distances, including from Kochi and the outskirts of Malappuram, were left bitterly disappointed when the game was called off, with some even resorting to vandalizing the ticket counters in protest today.
The league authorities later announced that the points would be shared between both teams, sparking further outrage from fans and club officials alike.
Wilbur Lasrado, Head of Football Operations at Malappuram FC, stated the mismanagement of the match.
“Today, after preparing thoroughly for our game, we were informed of the match’s abrupt cancellation by the commissioner, Mr. Ashraf KP, due to the weather conditions,” Lasrado said. “However, just 20 minutes later, in a shocking reversal, the commissioner returned and insisted that the game would proceed, despite the earlier decision.”
The indecision by match officials, Lasrado continued, led to significant confusion for both teams and fans.
“This erratic and unprofessional handling of the situation is unacceptable. It not only impacted the mental preparation of our players but also caused unnecessary frustration for our loyal supporters, who were left in the dark about the decision,” he said.
The team is calling for strict action against the officials responsible for the mishandling of the situation, citing their failure to follow proper protocol.
According to Rules 3.6.1 and 3.6.2 of the Kerala Super League, specific procedures for match abandonment were not adhered to, which contributed to the chaos.
Kerala Super League was supposed to reschedule the abandoned match, in line with Section 3.6, Subsection 3.6.1 (c), which stipulates that an abandoned match should be replayed at the earliest possible date.
“We have officially lodged a formal complaint with the Super League Kerala and the Kerala Football Association regarding this matter and are awaiting their response,” Lasrado stated.
Fans were equally vocal in their criticism, with some taking to social media to express their anger over the league’s decision to share points between the two teams without rescheduling the match.