KOCHI: The Indian men’s football team suffered a fresh embarrassment on Thursday, this time before they even took the field. National head coach Khalid Jameel and the team were barred from entering the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi, the venue of India’s Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong on March 31. Jameel had arrived at the stadium to inspect the pitch and attend a scheduled press conference, but was denied entry by Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) officials.Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!GCDA security personnel also stopped the Indian team from training at the stadium. The team had to train later. Kerala Blasters‘ Training ground at Tripanthora, 10 km from the stadium. The GCDA staff said they are following the instructions of the secretary and chairman until no one is allowed into the stadium complex until full rent and security deposit are paid by Kerala Football Association (KFA), the host association for India’s Asian Cup qualifier with Hong Kong on March 31.
“The Asian Cup qualifiers will go ahead as planned. What happened on Thursday was a minor technical issue and it will be resolved soon,” KFA president Navas Miran said.GCDA is asking for a security deposit of Rs 25 lakh and a match rent of Rs 3 lakh. KFA agreed to the payment, but the GCDA demanded the full amount on Thursday before allowing the scheduled press conference and practice session to go ahead. Although KFA asked for more time, GCDA refused.Meanwhile, coach Jameel reached the stadium for press conference and ground inspection, but after waiting for a long time in the KFA office amid the controversy, he had no choice but to go. Security officials also barred journalists from entering the press conference, saying they had orders from higher authorities not to allow anyone inside. Later the main gate was locked.
