ISL 2017/18: 5 controversial referring decisions that decided fate of the matches

The Indian Super League (ISL) is a thrill-a-minute roller coaster ride full of some incredible twists and turns. Since the league's inception in 2014, there have been plenty of noteworthy moments that have truly taken the world by storm. The stock of football in India has risen like never before and a different kind of focus on Indian sports appears to have developed.

Amid this rising popularity of football thanks to the ISL however, is a problem which seems to have developed from within the system itself. Several investors may have put together an outstanding league of football in the country, but the lack of quality officiating in games has cost the reputation of the league dearly to say the very least. For the first few seasons this problem existed just as much but was largely forgotten due to the ISL taking 'baby steps' in its progress, however things haven't got better and it's fair to say that the time has come for All India Football Federation (AIFF) to take some big decisions.

The AIFF is clear on its stance of not appointing foreign officials at the moment, and as things stand, the local referees are not up to the mark. Here are some controversial refereeing instances from this season:

#5 Armpit penalty awarded against Kerala Blasters

Chennaiyin were awarded a dubious penalty — Chennaiyin FC were awarded a dubious penalty

This one really hurt the Blasters in a big way. In a season where not a lot has gone right for the Kerala team, they were subjected to a horrendous refereeing call by match official Pranjal Banerjee when he adjudged Sandesh Jhingan to have handled the ball. Television replays clearly showed that the ball hit the defender's armpit. What's worse, it came in the dying minutes of the game and denied Kerala a derby win over bitter rivals Chennaiyin FC. The game ended 1-1.

#4 NorthEast's TP Rehenesh gets marching orders

Referee's positioning is vital while making a big call and it all looks pretty shabby when one looks at this poor refereeing call by Rowan Arumughan in a game between NorthEast United and Kerala Blasters. The referee decided that goalkeeper TP Rehenesh had fouled Mark Sifneos even though NorthEast had a player behind the keeper hence proving he wasn't the last man, despite which the referee blew his whistle and brandished a straight red card to the baffled stopper. To make matters worse, the referee clearly ignored the fact that Mark Sifneos had got back to his feet and put the ball into the net, hence missing a chance to play the advantage.

#3 Dynamos' Gabriel Cichero wrongly shown second yellow

Gabriel Cichero was sent off for a second bookable offence

In yet another puzzling decision, one of many in this particular game between Delhi Dynamos and FC Goa, the referee decided that Dynamos' Gabriel Cichero deserved a second yellow card for his efforts. The decision seemed harsh to say the least and turned out to be the killer blow for Delhi as the Gaurs ran out 5-1 winners while Dynamos manager Miguel Angel Portugal was so furious that he didn't turn up for the post-match conference. The call was a big one to make, and it definitely wasn't the right one in the circumstances.

#2 Mumbai City FC awarded penalty for a foul outside the box

Achille Emana slotted away a penalty which should never have been given

Another referring error took place earlier this season in a match between Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City FC. The incident in question was a foul on Balwant Singh which was clearly committed outside the box, but for some reason in a shocking turn of events, the referee pointed to the spot. Nobody could quite believe it and replays seconded the fact that the contact was made outside the box. Achille Emana scored the penalty for Mumbai and gave them a 1-0 victory which should never have happened.

#5 FC Goa lucky to be awarded a spot kick

Goa received a penalty which never should have been given — FC Goa were awarded a penalty which should never have been given

In a game full of twists and turns, it was yet again a refereeing decision which came under the scanner after Goa were awarded a penalty for a challenge by Andre Bikey of Jamshedpur FC on Brandon Fernandes. The seemingly innocent tackle was immediately turned into a matter of debate as referee Venkatesh Ramachandran pointed to the spot and Lanzarote scored for the Gaurs. Goa won the game and Venkatesh has since become public enemy number one for the Jamshedpur fans.

Edited by Argha Bhattacharya