ISL 2017/18: Kerala Blasters fans allegedly beaten up inside stadium after FC Pune City match

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Some of the Kerala Blasters fans were allegedly beaten up. (Photo: Representational)

What's the story?

Fans have been in the thick of things in the ISL this season, but not always in the right manner. While there have been countless instances when the fans have shown goodwill towards each other, one particular incident after the match between FC Pune City and Kerala Blasters left a rather sour taste in the mouth.

Seemingly frustrated with their team's 2-1 home loss against the Blasters, a few of the FC Pune City fans allegedly attacked the away fans, as is seen in a video.

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@OrangeArmyFCPC I know it might not be from your ppl...there will be some odd ones everywhere including in our own stadium...but please help our members if there are such issues...I still remember how Both of our fan clubs United when you guys where in Kochi..let's continue it pic.twitter.com/5kBknrze20

— KBFC Updates (@KBFCtweets) February 2, 2018

In case you didn't know...

It was a rather intense match between Pune and Kerala, as the latter came away with the 2-1 win after forward CK Vineeth scored a last-minute scorcher with his left foot. While Pune lost their chance to move to the top of the table with this, Kerala swiftly climbed to the fifth spot.

The heart of the matter

In the video, a few of the Pune fans are seen beating up Kerala supporters in the stands, seemingly after their side's frustrating 2-1 loss. A second video had also surfaced later, that showed a number of members of the famed Manjappada Fan Club, a supporters group of Kerala Blasters, were seen being chased around.

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@niktheblue94 @saysarun @KhelNow @soumo17 @Sportskeeda scenes from outside the Pune stadium where Blasters fans where attacked.....when Pune fans came to Kochi, they were taken to Manjappada office and they were taken care as guests... Where was the police? pic.twitter.com/CaNqsz9BDR

— KBFC Updates (@KBFCtweets) February 2, 2018

The person who shot this video, also a Kerala fan, went on to allege that he and his fellow Manjappada supporters were being "beaten up". The fan in question also went on to cite an example from earlier in the season, when the Pune fans were invited to the Manjappada office and treated well.

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@FCPuneCity @OrangeArmyFCPC Absolutely disgrace act from pune fans. We welcomed you with love in our stadium and they paid back with fight. Thank you so much. #kbfc #indianfootball

— Shojin R Chandran (@shojinrc8) February 2, 2018

Again clashes in Pune after the Pune City vs KBFC game.. Have been seeing this since Pune FC days, don't know if fans or localities but they do create ruckus against away fans. #IndianFootball #HeoISL #PUNKER

— Nikhil Jadhav (@42nikhil) February 2, 2018

What's next?

This is the second time that there have been reports of violence among fans at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune. Previously, a number of Mumbai City FC supporters were said to have been attacked at the same venue. It remains to be seen whether the club will take any steps to curb such violence.

Author's take

One big problem in Indian stadiums, especially in football, is that there are no separate stands for the away fans. Mumbai City FC had brought up this issue after their match at Pune. More clubs should look into such matters, and invest a little in creating a segregation between the home and the away fans, as emotions run high in the beautiful game, and can often get the better of people.

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