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Panaji: The disciplinary committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is likely to fine Kerala Blasters Rs 5 crore for their walkout against Bengaluru FC in the Knockout game of the Indian Super League (ISL).Sunil Chhetris quickly taken freekick gave Bengaluru the lead in the first half of extra time but that controversial goal triggered furious protests from the Blasters camp. Coach Ivan Vukomanovic then led his players off the field, and despite requests from officials, refused to return to the field.The match was eventually abandoned by referee Crystal John who has since then been heavily criticised by the fans for his handling of the game.The club were referred to the disciplinary committee for violation of Article 58 of the AIFF disciplinary code. The penalty for such an offence, according to the code, is a fine of at least Rs 6 lakh; and disqualification from a competition in progress and/ or exclusion from a future competition.According to sources, Blasters will not face disqualification from any competition or points deduction from the next edition of ISL, but having been found guilty of the worst forms of sportsmanship, there will be a hefty fine ranging from Rs 5-7 crore.This is the heaviest fine that AIFF has imposed on any club for breach of the disciplinary code, a senior official told TOI on Tuesday. The committee discussed this at length and then arrived at a decision. There is no denying that the decision of Kerala Blasters to walkout reflects badly on Indian football.There is no precedent in Indian football about a club walking off the field in protest against a refereeing decision. The committee is understood to have placed on record Mohun Bagans refusal to play the second half against East Bengal after one of their player, Syed Rahim Nabi, was hit by a stone pelted from the stands.Bagan refused to play the second half of the fierce Kolkata derby after Nabi ended with a fractured jaw.During their discussion, the executive committee felt that Bagan had a cause of abandoning the match, but were still fined Rs 2 crore and stripped off all the 12 points they had earned in the league till that abandoned game against their fiercest rivals.Blasters, the committee felt, had no justification to abandon the game. Given that there were 20 minutes between Blasters walking off the field and the match being called off, the club also didnt do anything to make Vukomanovic change his decision.Whatever sanctions the AIFF imposes on Blasters, the club will be allowed to lodge an appeal.Besides the AIFF disciplinary committee decision, Blasters will have to wait to hear from the ISL, which can impose separate sanctions.According to League Rule 3.6.4, the club is liable for an additional financial sanction deduction of points and/or suspension by the League from taking any further part in the ISL, depending on the gravity of the incident.Coach Vukomanovic has been charged separately for bringing the game into disrepute. No decision has been taken so far by the committee.

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AIFF likely to fine Kerala Blasters Rs 5 crore for walkout, no disqualification or points deduction - Times of India