In Friday’s match, East Bengal faced a setback against Odisha, falling victim to questionable refereeing decisions on their home turf. The team expressed dissatisfaction, pointing out the absence of at least two clear penalties that were not awarded by the referee. This incident raised concerns as it was not the first time East Bengal encountered issues with the match officiating, with a similar situation occurring in a previous match against Bengaluru, where the same referee was in charge.

In response to the perceived injustices, East Bengal has submitted evidence to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), including video footage, to support their claims. Rupak Saha, the Assistant General Editor for East Bengal, emphasized that despite raising the issue multiple times in recent years, no substantial action has been taken by the AIFF.

The match against Odisha saw East Bengal missing out on three penalty opportunities, adding to their frustration. They argue that a red card should have been shown to an Odisha player during the game as well. The team’s coach, Kibu Vicuna, expressed disappointment after the match, stating that despite the challenges, his players worked hard and managed to secure a draw. Vicuna acknowledged that they had opportunities, but the three points were crucial for them.

In a post-match interview, Kibu Quadriat, the coach for East Bengal, commented, “We took to the field for three points. Even in the last minutes, we entered their box aggressively. They have more experienced players than us, but our boys put in a commendable effort to secure the draw. We had clear penalties denied, and these three points were significant for us.”

The controversy surrounding the refereeing decisions has reignited discussions about the need for improved officiating standards in Indian football. East Bengal’s efforts to bring attention to the issue through official channels highlight the team’s commitment to fair play and their pursuit of justice in the face of what they perceive as recurring refereeing errors.