ISL 2017: Chennaiyin FC official confirms fan was drunk and eve-teasing NorthEast United FC supporter

An alleged case of racism and eve-teasing put the Chennaiyin vs NEUFC game in bad light. (Photo: ISL)

What’s The Story?

Chennaiyin FC defeated NorthEast United on Thursday night by a margin of 3-0 in their second home game in this season of ISL. There was, however, a rather unsavoury incident that took place in the gallery as a Chennaiyin supporter allegedly eve-teased and racially abused a NorthEast fan.

A video went viral, showing a boy dancing in a vulgar manner in front of a female NorthEast fan. An official within Chennaiyin FC confirmed to Sportskeeda that the boy was drunk, and was indeed eve-teasing the NorthEast fan.

The context

The video shows that a group of NorthEast fans were sitting in a row and the young man in front of them, who was supposedly a Chennaiyin fan, started dancing and gesticulating in a peculiar manner. Surprisingly, people around them did not intervene.

The heart of the matter

NorthEast United owner John Abraham has already issued an official statement on Twitter.

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

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Chennaiyin also put out an official statement after the incident came to light, condemning such behaviour from the fans. The club is also looking to take action regarding this.

Chennaiyin FC has a very strict and firm policy against racism and any unbecoming behaviour in the stadium. The club strongly condemns any such act. We are looking into any such incidents and will take strong action against it. pic.twitter.com/0ZD2VjMCBM
— Chennaiyin FC (@ChennaiyinFC) November 24, 2017

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Indian football fans are fuming about this incident and want quick action against the perpetrator. The unfortunate incident shadowed the result of the match, something that we do not want to see in the beautiful game. Abraham also said that neither he nor Abhishek Bachchan, who is the co-owner of Chennaiyin FC supports such incident. He even went on to call those fans "fake".

What’s next?

With such acts of alleged racism and eve-teasing happening within the sanctity of the football arena, the authorities would be doubly alert in the future, to stamp out such incidents, and keep the fans who travel to the stadium safe.

Author’s take

It’s a shame, not only ISL, but also for the entire country that such an incident is taking place in a football arena. India is growing as a footballing nation and ISL has viewers from across the world. Such acts in a football stadium will definitely not make the image of the country any better.