The ISL 2024 game between Jamshedpur FC and Mumbai City FC could be heading towards a gripping twist in its conclusion. Despite the match ending in a 1-1 draw, Mumbai City FC has protested with the league committee, alleging that Jamshedpur FC fielded an ineligible player.
The heart of the matter lies in the ISL’s regulation concerning domestic players. According to the rule, “Each Club must ensure that at least seven (7) Domestic Players are fielded and playing on the field at all times throughout each Match except where any such Domestic Player(s) is dismissed as a result of him receiving a red card in such Match.”
Furthermore, the rule states that “Failure to comply with this rule will result in a sanction of 3-0 loss for the defaulter Club in the particular Match unless the opposing team was winning/has won the Match by a higher score, in which case the result on the field will be awarded.”
What happened in Jamshedpur FC vs Mumbai City FC?
The issue arose when Jamshedpur FC’s forward Daniel Chima Chukwu received a red card during the match. As a response, Jamshedpur substituted Imran Khan with Alen Stevanovic. However, this substitution left them with only six domestic players on the field, potentially violating the ISL’s minimum requirement of seven.
Mumbai City FC, being cognizant of the rule, is now seeking a forfeit in their favour. If the league committee upholds the protest, Jamshedpur FC’s decision to introduce Stevanovic with a player down due to a red card could be considered a violation.
The ISL committee is now tasked with determining whether Jamshedpur FC breached the rule and, if so, whether the violation warrants a 3-0 forfeit in favour of Mumbai City FC.
This development adds significant intrigue to the ISL standings. A 3-0 victory for Mumbai City FC would propel them to the top of the table, surpassing Odisha FC. Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC is in contention for a playoff spot, and a forfeiture could have substantial ramifications for their season.
The forthcoming days will be pivotal as the ISL committee deliberates on the protest. The final decision will not only impact the outcome of this specific match but could also have far-reaching implications for the entire ISL season.
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