The CEO of Kerala Blasters Football Club Viren D'Silva took to social media to post a message calling for a respectful rivalry between the Kerala-based Indian Super League (ISL) team and its traditional rivals Bengaluru FC.
The message was posted on Monday just two days after Bengaluru FC beat Kerala Blasters 1-0 in the ISL match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. A record crowd of over 27,000 fans were present at the stadium including thousands of fans supporting Kerala Blasters.
The fan groups of the two clubs — Manjappada (Kerala Blasters) and West Block Blues (Bengaluru FC)— indulged in banter throughout the contest. Viren D'Silva, however was peeved at a chant often sung by Bengaluru FC supporters - Who the f... are Kerala Blasters?
"There were many heckles, most in good nature and spirit including this one that stood out, 'Who the f.. are Kerala Blasters?' My answer to this is that Kerala Blasters FC is a football club that stands for collectivism, sportsmanship and inclusivity. We are god's own team from god's own country. We represent a state and its people all over the world where yellow is pride and yellow stands for belief. This is who Kerala Blasters is and would like to let all the BFC fans know that when they come, visit us in Kerala, they will be treated with nothing but respect". read the statement from the CEO.
He went on to discuss how fans should not resort to hooliganism in the name of banter. "While we look to replicate a number of good practices from European football clubs and clubs from the rest of the world, one important aspect that our nation can do away with is football hooliganism-simply because it is not part of our culture...To every fan who loves football and could be a part of one of the greatest rivalries in Indian football in the years," he added.
Our club CEO, Viren D'Silva, penned down his thoughts on the recent #BFCKB clash✍#FansNotFoes #YennumYellow #LetsFootball #SouthernDerby pic.twitter.com/a0CWyRebNA
— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) November 25, 2019
During Saturday's match between the two sides, no violent incident was reported however, the CEO in his message highlighted an incident in which a group of Kerala fans were reportedly confronted by a group of rude supporters who manhandled them. "Thankfully, better sense prevailed and both groups went their own way eventually," Viren said in his message.
The statement from Viren D'Silva has divided fans of Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC. While many Kerala fans supported the message, some fans argued that the chants were within the spirit of the game and that it was not meant to demean the values of Kerala or the football club.
"We chant "Who The F are Kerala blasters", to take a dig at how bad Blasters have been on the pitch. It's not a question mark on the values of KBFC or the fact that Kerala is God's own Country. You have got that one wrong chief. We all love Kerala here", said Waseem Ahmed, a Bengaluru FC fan.
Dear @VirenDsilva, we chant "Who The F are Kerala blasters", to take a dig at how bad Blasters have been on the pitch. It's NOT a question mark on the values of KBFC or the fact that Kerala is a God's own Country. You have got that one wrong chief. We all love Kerala here. #BFCKB https://t.co/FsaLMRWSrk
— Waseem Ahmed ವಸೀಮ್ ಅಹ್ಮದ್ (@Waseem_Ahmed11) November 26, 2019
His view was supported even by few Kerala Blasters supporters. "With you on this. WTFAKB has evolved as one of the best banters of ISL. So used to it, it's almost like a greeting now," said Wilfredo, a Kerala Blasters fan.
Well said @Waseem_Ahmed11 bro. With you on this. WTFAKB has evolved as one of the best banters of ISL. So used to it , its almost like a greeting now. https://t.co/pm4BmyuyZG
— Wilfredo (@wilfredov) November 26, 2019
Before Saturday's contest, thousands of Kerala Blasters fans gathered outside the Sree Kanteerava Stadium to lend a frenzied atmosphere to the game. While many Kerala fans residing in Bengaluru turned up, others arrived from different parts of Kerala for the occasion.
The South Stand at the stadium, which is usually not opened for fans, was made available for the game to accommodate the packed crowd. The crowd of 27,083 was the highest for a Bengaluru FC game in the city.