Bengaluru: Members of the Indian football team, including the head coach Khalid Xemilwas denied entry to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi by the stadium authority for non-payment of dues by the Kerala Football Association ahead of the national team’s Asia Cup qualifier against Hong Kong on March 31.
The incident took place on Thursday ahead of a press conference scheduled by the state body to be attended by the coach and Kerala-born players in the Indian team, including Bengaluru FC striker Ashique Kuruniyan.
However, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), which is in charge of the venue, denied them entry due to non-payment of a deposit to reserve the stadium over the next four days for the match.
The media event, which was also to be attended by team members Sahal Abdul Samad and Bijoy Varghese, was ultimately cancelled.
The incident now casts a shadow of doubt over the staging of the inconsequential match (India is already out of the qualifiers) scheduled to start at 7pm on March 31.
The venue is also scheduled to host training sessions and pre-match press conferences in preparation for the encounter.
However, a source privy to the development has confirmed to DH that the matter will be resolved soon after the Football Federation of India has assured that all dues will be cleared.
The GCDA has taken a strong stance on clearing dues for hosting matches this season after Kerala Blasters, who host their matches at the same venue in the Indian Super League, were also blocked for non-payment of dues ahead of their home opener against Mumbai City FC last month.
