Reports | Assistant coaches of Bengaluru FC, NorthEast United suspended

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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The post-match ugly confrontation that took place in Guwahati following Bengaluru’s narrow 2-1 loss to NorthEast United has now reportedly seen the involved assistant coaches of both the sides getting suspended after an appeal. Dimas Delgado, however, has escaped punishment despite being involved.

Just when Bengaluru looked assured of a crucial away draw against NEUFC during the first leg of the semi-final, referee Santosh Kumar had pointed towards the penalty right at the last minute. Juan Mascia, who had replaced an injured Bartholomew Ogbeche in the first half, took the spot kick with utmost perfection and consequently, handed his side a crucial lead going into the second leg in Bengaluru.

However, while it was understandably not taken well by the BFC fans, what the staff did thereafter was unacceptable. As per TOI reports, NEUFC have accused Bengaluru’s assistant coach Gerard Zaragoza, technical analyst Alwin, and midfielder Dimas Delgado for "unsporting and unprofessional conduct". The ISL committee has reportedly decided to suspend Zaragoza and NEUFC assistant coach Shaun Onteng from the second leg for their involvement. NEUFC had accused Delgado of attacking their assistant coach Onteng and player Nikhil Kadam, but the Spanish midfielder has escaped the punishment.

The referee for the match has also been slammed by BFC coach Carles Cuadrat for his last minute decision. The manager stated, “Why did he award the penalty? We saw the visuals of Khabra grabbing Juan Mascia but it was the Uruguayan who started it. First, he allowed the two players to push and then he awarded the penalty. He didn't control the situation.

“He blew the whistle and 20,000 people were clapping for him. Maybe he wanted that situation," the BFC coach fumed. I'm in football for the last 40 years and I know how it works. Mascia won three penalties this season in extra-time. He can play his game but there is a referee to manage the situation and he didn't do that (on March 7). It was a mistake to end the match with a penalty," the coach added.

ISL stats indicate that this wasn’t an unexpected incident anyway. NorthEast and Bengaluru have been second and third respectively on the list of fouls committed, with the Highlanders committing 244 fouls in 19 matches, and the Blues recorded 242 fouls. As far as the bookings are concerned, BFC have picked up 33 yellow cards, while NEUFC have 29.

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