Durand Cup: Bengaluru FC say one of their players was racially abused
Kolkata, Aug 24: Bengaluru FC have alleged that one of their players was racially abused during the team's game against Indian Air Force in the Durand Cup football tournament here.
The Indian Super League giants said they have raised the issue with the "relevant authorities".
The alleged incident took place at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan here on Tuesday.
"Bengaluru FC is aware of a racist comment made by a player from the opposition, towards one of our players, during the Durand Cup game that took place on Tuesday evening," the former ISL champions said in a statement.
"We are in touch with the relevant authorities in this regard.
"Our message is clear -- discrimination has no place anywhere. Football is for everyone."
Bengaluru FC registered their second consecutive win in the Durand Cup as they blanked Indian Air Force 4-0.
Roy Krishna (9th min), Sunil Chhetri (23rd min), Faisal Ali (71st min), and Siva Sakthi (93rd min) struck for The Blues as it secured a resounding win.
The goals came in early for Bengaluru, as Krishna opened the scoring in the ninth minute.
Skipper Chhetri soon doubled the lead as he sneaked one past IAF goakeeper Shibinraj following a well-directed cross from Prabir Das in the 23rd minute of the game.
Youngster Faisal Ali made it 3-0 after he received an unerring cross from midfielder Suresh Wangjam.
The goalfest was completed by another youngster, Shiva Shakti, as he beat the IAF goalie to make it 4-0 in the third minute of the stoppage time.
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) August 23, 2022
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Virat Kohli, KL Rahul likely to miss upcoming Ranji Trophy matches
Bengaluru: Star batters Virat Kohli and KL Rahul are expected to miss the upcoming round of the Ranji Trophy, as both have reportedly informed the BCCI's medical team about carrying injuries. As a result, neither will be able to represent their respective state teams in the next round of the tournament, set to begin on January 23.
According to ESPNCricinfo, Kohli had neck pain and had taken an injection on January 8, three days after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ended in Sydney. Kohli told the BCCI medical staff that he was still experiencing pain, ruling him out of Delhi's game against Saurashtra in Rajkot.
KL Rahul is still recovering from an elbow niggle and will likely miss Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy match against Punjab. He has conveyed to the BCCI medical staff his concern about the issue, and they are monitoring him currently, PTI reported.
However, both the batters have a chance to play in the season's last final round, starting on January 30.
Meanwhile, the BCCI recently unveiled a stringent set of 10-point disciplinary guidelines. They have made it compulsory for each centrally-contracted player to represent their state teams in domestic cricket to remain eligible for selection in the national team and for central contracts.
The board also stated that if any player is unavailable, he needs permission from the national chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir.
