In the wake of the Pulwama attacks on February 14, Minerva Punjab FC owner Ranjit Bajaj had declared that his team would not travel to Srinagar for their pre-scheduled game against Real Kashmir FC. Staying true to his word, Minerva did not show up for their clash against a ready RKFC in Srinagar on Monday after they argued that the home team and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) failed in providing written security assurances.

“If the AIFF wants to settle the case at the court on the day of hearing, we are fine. But if the court directs us to first go to the I-League committee and see if it is possible to sort out the matter there, we will do so,” Tiwari told PTI.

“The AIFF is acting arbitrarily and without reason as earlier in the month the match between Real Kashmir FC and East Bengal was postponed on account of snow whereas the present situation is much more serious and lives of the players and the spectators are at risk,” the petition said.

“Minerva’s fears are well-founded and a request to postpone the match by 2 weeks would not affect any party especially in light of the fact that it has been done before for completely avoidable reasons.”