ISL side Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) on Friday confirmed via a club statement that it has officially filed a complaint with the concerned authorities against an alleged instance of racist behaviour.
It is alleged that KBFC's defender Aibanbha Dohling was "subjected to a disrespectful gesture" by Bengaluru FC's Australian winger Ryan Williams during Thursday's season opener at Kochi. Kerala Blasters had won the closely-fought match 2-1.
"We have filed an official complaint with the appropriate authorities, urging them to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident. We trust that the authorities will treat this matter with the utmost seriousness and take the necessary steps to address it appropriately. We also call upon our good colleagues at Bengaluru FC to take appropriate action," the statement released by the KBFC on X (formerly Twitter) read.
Full statement by Kerala Blasters
Kerala Blasters wish to express our deep disappointment and concern with a regrettable incident that occurred during our opening match against Bengaluru FC.
It has come to our attention that during the match, one of our players was subjected to a disrespectful gesture by a Bengaluru FC player. We want to make it abundantly clear that there is absolutely no room for racist and derogatory behaviour in our Club and in the sport. Racism, discrimination, and disrespectful actions have no place on the football pitch or anywhere else.
We have filed an official complaint with the appropriate authorities, urging them to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident. We trust that the authorities will treat this matter with the utmost seriousness and take the necessary steps to address it appropriately. We also call upon our good colleagues at Bengaluru FC to take appropriate action.
Football is a sport that unites people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. It is a platform for mutual respect. We remain committed to promoting a culture of diversity, inclusion, and respect in football and in our Club.