Aimed at promoting football across the cricket-crazy nation, the Indian Super League (ISL) has arguably been a great success, not just for the fans, but also for nurturing local talent. The presence of iconic overseas players in teams filled with budding players, the league has clearly managed to overshadow the I-League - India's premier football league.
Now, in its fourth edition, the ISL has been expanded to 10 participating teams with its schedule extended to five months. The ongoing season has already witnessed some scintillating games with football fanatics cherishing every goal from the stands.
Is this how you treat visiting fans @ChennaiyinFC @Supermachans ?? pic.twitter.com/XP5l6nA4el
— Khalid Mahmood (@TheReal_Khalid) November 23, 2017But, while the league has grown over the years, the 2017 season has already found itself battling racism and harassment early on. And, on Thursday, when Chennaiyin FC was busy hammering the visiting NorthEast United brigade, some hooligans shamelessly harassed a group of Northeastern girls in the stands of Chennai's JLN stadium.
Really disgusting behavior by some Chennaiyin fans against these Northeastern girls.
Football is all about mutual respect.
Hope we don't see any more of this anywhere.
Say No To Racism#LetsFootball @fni @ pic.twitter.com/qC76zsyjWi
In a viral video shared by a spectator from the JLN stadium in Chennai, a group of Northeastern girls were mocked and teased as part of a racial attack by some fans including a drunk local boy. Since then, the video has evoked a strong response from fans, football clubs and their respective owners.
But, when it comes to NorthEast United FC co-owner John Abraham, his was more than just a statement condemning the act. The club shared his statement on Twitter where the Bollywood actor expressed his concerns before lashing out at the perpetrators.
Statement: NEUFC stands by the the passionate supporters who faced untoward incident at the Marina Arena in Chennai last night. Here is a brief statement from our owner John Abraham. #Highlanders we are with you. #8States1United pic.twitter.com/ceej8iVvG3
— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) November 24, 2017"It's deeply disturbing for me when a sport becomes an unsafe or unharmonious place for anyone. Everything I have taken back from sport has only been positive. From learning to play with people who are different, learning to take loss with a sense of sportsmanship, winning with humility," he said.
John also offered support and assured that he will personally meet the victimised girl. "To the girl who was victimized by these insensitive and thoughtless people, 'We'll stand with you and you'll never feel alone as you must've felt in that moment. I will personally meet you and make sure you are ok'," he added.
© BCCL
Last, but definitely not the least, the 45-year-old star threatened the culprits with adequate punishment for their insensitive conduct. "To the 'fans' who troubled her, 'I'll call you fake fans because I know that Abhishek or myself would never condone this behaviour from our true fans. I will find you and make sure you are punished and apologize for your behaviour'," John claimed.
He summed up his statement by saying, "Let's build and create value from our interactions rather than creating such negative causes. Let's use our voices for good. Let's stand united".
© Reuters
The game of football has been witness to hooliganism and racism for quite some time now. From the decorated English Premier League (EPL) or the high-voltage La Liga (Spanish league), chanting racist slurs, destroying public property and harassing rival fans has often brought disrepute to the game.
With the Indian Super League (ISL) taking huge strides and breaking new ground every season, let's hope that they don't follow in the footsteps of other prominent footballing nations whose domestic leagues are marred with such incidents.
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