ISL 2018-19: Bengaluru FC 1-0 ATK – 5 Talking Points

#2 Refereeing blunders deprives Bengaluru of two penalties

The referees had another forgettable day at the office [Image: ISL]

Referee Tejas Nagvenkar has already been in the headlines this season for wrong reasons. It seems, he hasn’t learnt from his mistakes as his ‘performance’ was more impressive than any of the players on the pitch.

The first incident occurred during the 15th minute of the match. Bengaluru got a foul after Sunil Chhetri was brought down just on the edge of the box. Chhetri took the free-kick which hit on the left hand of Andre Bikey, who was standing as a part of the wall.

Despite repeated appeals, Nagvenkar paid no attention and continued the play. The second incident occurred moments later. Kean Lewis crossed a ball from the left towards Udanta Singh. Ricky Lallawmawma was out of position and in a desperate attempt to block Udanta, the ball touched on his left hand.

It was again overlooked by the referee and surprisingly Bengaluru players too didn’t appeal this time, perhaps knowing the outcome beforehand. But the replays showed it was a clear penalty.