ISL 2019-20 | Bengaluru FC get nod to host matches at Kanteerava Stadium

On Friday, Bengaluru FC (BFC) got the nod to play their home matches in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium as the Department of Youth Empowerment & Sports (DYES), Govt. of Karnataka has issued a letter of consent to the reigning ISL champions.

DYES commissioner K Srinivas was quoted by Deccan Herald, revealing the latest development. He said, “The division bench had said don’t give the stadium for football games. Then, the High Court single bench ordered that the stadium be given to them only on the day of the match. They have to book online before hosting the matches and after booking, subject to the policy to be framed as ordered by the division bench.”

The decision comes on the back of an order passed last week by the High Court while hearing a petition filed by the JSW group (owners of BFC). It is understood that JSW has asked for permission to access the stadium for close to 30 days of the forthcoming ISL season and will have to pay an amount of ₹ 78 lakhs plus other fees.

However, it remains to be seen if BFC gets to play its opening ISL game on October 21 against Northeast United FC at Sree Kanteerava with the deadline to prepare the turf shrinking by the day. Balewadi Stadium in Pune is listed as their back-up venue. Club officials, though, refused to comment on the latest developments.

It is to be noted that the petition on which the decision was made was different from the one filed by athletes and coaches seeking to restrain footballing activities on the grounds that the stadium was exclusively built for track and field disciplines. The court had since heard the athletes and coaches and ordered an inquiry to assess the legality of the previous agreement between DYES and JSW. A report of the same is scheduled to be tabled by the State on October 14.