18/01/2025
Shocking Scenes in Sikkim: Unsportsmanlike Conduct Tarnishes Prestigious International Match!
The 10th All India Chief Minister's Gold Cup Football Tournament witnessed a shameful turn of events during the high-stakes quarter-final clash between Nepal🇳🇵's Jhapa XI🔵 and Bhutan🇧🇹's Transport United🔴.
The much-anticipated match, billed as an "International Match," featured several national team players from both nations and began with immense excitement. Jhapa XI took an early 2-0 lead in the first half, but what unfolded in the second half overshadowed the game entirely.
In the 56th minute, a volley from a Transport United🔴 player struck Jhapa XI🔵’s Nepal🇳🇵 international Mani Kumar Lama. The ball appeared to scrape his arm before hitting his belly. Despite the minimal contact, referee Manish Bashist, an AIFF National Referee, awarded a free kick against Jhapa XI at the edge of the box. The decision sparked immediate protests from Jhapa XI🔵 players, with Nepal🇳🇵 international Devendra Tamang receiving a yellow card for his reaction.
As tensions escalated, the referee instructed the Jhapa XI🔵 players to adjust their defensive wall. This led to further dissent, with Aashish Gurung also receiving a yellow card. Devendra Tamang mockingly clapped at the decision, earning himself a second yellow card and subsequent dismissal.
What followed was utterly unacceptable—Devendra Tamang retaliated by throwing a punch at the referee. Jhapa XI🔵’s Milan Rai then escalated the situation by throwing another punch, knocking the referee to the ground.
The chaos didn’t end there. Transport United🔴 players walked off the field, while members of the organizing committee entered the pitch and aggressively chased the offending players, Devendra Tamang and Milan Rai. The situation spiraled out of control, leaving a sour taste in what should have been a showcase of footballing excellence.
The match eventually resumed after the offenders were sent off, with Transport United🔴 pulling one goal back. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Jhapa XI managed to hold on for a 2-1 victory and secured a place in the semi-finals.
The actions of Devendra Tamang and Milan Rai were inexcusable, as physical aggression toward officials undermines the spirit of the game. While the referee's decision sparked protests, raising questions of judgment, the organizing committee's aggressive response also drew criticism. This incident highlights the need for discipline, respect, and professionalism in football to prevent such chaos from overshadowing the sport.
