I-League | Real Kashmir FC wants to play re-match against Minerva Punjab at home

03/07/2019

Real Kashmir FC has stated that they will play the re-match against Minerva Punjab in the ongoing I-League only if it is held in Srinagar. Real Kashmir co-owner Sandeep Chattoo has said that they will let the AIFF know about the dates but the match has to be played only in the state capital.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had announced earlier this week that there will be a rematch of the I-League tie between Real Kashmir FC and Minerva Punjab. The Punjab team decided not to travel to Srinagar for the match, which was earlier scheduled to be played on February 18, citing security reasons after the Pulwama terror attack.

Meanwhile, the Srinagar-based club has now come out saying that it wants the match to be played only in Srinagar.

“It’s our home game and the rematch will have to be in Srinagar only. The date can be worked out,” Chattoo told PTI.

“We will be replying to the AIFF in a day or two. Under protocol, we need to get all the required clearances from the authorities, including about security of players and officials. There is also likely to be announcement of general election dates by the Election Commission of India in the next few days. We have a match in Imphal on March 9 and let it get over and the dates of the re-match should be known by then.”

On the other hand, I-League CEO Sunando Dhar has said that the federation was still waiting for Real Kashmir’s official reply about the choice of venue and date ahead of the rematch.

“We are waiting for Real Kashmir response. We are hoping to get it soon and then we will decide on the venue and date,” Dhar told PTI.