Jamshedpur FC could face sanctions from the Indian Super League after breaching regulations during their match against Mumbai City FC on Friday. The match had ended in a 1-1 draw but the result can be changed to 3-0 loss for Jamshedpur.
What happened?
Daniel Chima Chukwu's red card in the 82nd minute of the game was the cause. After the red card, coach Khalid Jamil took off Imran Khan and put on Alen Stevanovic, to bring the number of foreigners on the field to four.
However, this is in direct breach of the ISL's Rule 4.2.10, which states that a minimum of seven Indians would be on the field at all times, unless one of them is sent off. The onus is on the club to ensure this.
ESPN contacted Mumbai City FC, who said there isn't an update about the result at the moment, but that any official updates on the matter will be shared to the public if any future actions are taken by the club.
What is Rule 4.2.10?
Each club shall 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 the match. 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 upheld.
So in this case, with Jamshedpur FC clearly having breached the rule, Mumbai City would be awarded a 3-0 win instead of the 1-1 draw.
What impact would that have on the table?
Mumbai would have two more points, Jamshedpur would have two less. That would mean Mumbai extend their lead at the top of the league, and Jamshedpur suffer a huge blow in the race for sixth, as they
Has this happened in Indian Football before?
Yes, just last year, in the I-League. Churchill Brothers were awarded a 3-0 win against Real Kashmir, who didn't have the stipulated number of Asian players on the pitch, despite having their full quota of foreigners on it. Initially, the AIFF's disciplinary committee ruled there was no undue advantage gained by Churchill, but on appeal, the Goan club were awarded a 3-0 win.