The Indian men’s football team faced an unusual administrative setback on Thursday when head coach Khalid Jamil and several players were denied entry to Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi. The incident occurred just hours before their AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong.
The team had arrived at the venue for routine pre-match activities, including a press conference and pitch inspection. However, security personnel, acting on instructions from the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), stopped Jamil and the players at the gates. Reports indicate that the denial stemmed from unpaid stadium fees that had not been cleared by the Kerala Football Association (KFA), which manages bookings and payments for the venue.
Key Indian players, including Ashique Kuruniyan, Sahal Abdul Samad, and Bijoy Varghese, were among those delayed, alongside coach Jamil. The blocked access forced the abrupt cancellation of the press briefing, a rare disruption for the national team. Sources describe the situation as an embarrassment for Indian football, highlighting lapses in administrative coordination ahead of an important international fixture.
The incident has drawn criticism from fans and football commentators, with some terming it a “new low” for Indian football administration. Concerns were raised over the impact such disruptions could have on player morale and team focus ahead of competitive matches.
Officials from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the stadium authorities later assured that the issue would be resolved before matchday. They confirmed that the Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong would proceed as scheduled and emphasized that the team’s participation in the game would not be affected.
Also Read: IOC bars transgender women from women’s Olympic events
