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What's the story?
Minerva Punjab owner Ranjit Bajaj was involved in a scuffle, as he allegedly slapped a match official during his side's semi-final tie against Cordia Southall United Club in the Administrator's Cup, in Chandigarh, earlier this week.
However, the I-League team owner was let off with only an official warning, after the officials got a formal apology from Minerva Punjab, for the incident.
In case you didn't know...
Minerva FC and owner Bajaj came into the spotlight when the football club from Punjab secured qualification to the I-League last year. Since then, Bajaj has been vocal about several issues regarding Indian football.
Earlier this year. Bajaj was handed a stadium ban of eight matches along with a fine of Rs 7 lakh by the AIFF Disciplinary Committee for allegedly using abusive language at a referee.
Heart of the matter
During the club's semi-final clash in the junior tournament against Cordia Southall United Club, Bajaj got into a heated battle with Singh towards the end of first half and the ruckus that forced the organisers of the tournament to call the police.
Bajaj, who was already said to have been complaining about a possible case of age-fudging by the opposition, was reportedly further angered when the tournament commissioner ordered him to stay away from the players' dugout and sit outside the fenced area.
The scuffle became serious when an upset Bajaj started arguing with the officials and soon Singh intervened which then led to a fight breaking out between the two of them, according to Chandigarh Tribune. The arena was locked afterwards and entry was restricted only to authorised people.
When contacted about the incident by Sportskeeda, Ranjit Bajaj completely denied reports of a scuffle between him and the official.
Instead, he chose to highlight the case of age-fudging in the match. He said, "They had some 19-year-olds playing in an U16 tournament. This is absolutely not done."
He also revealed that one of Minerva's junior players was so badly injured by a Cordia Southall player that he had to get as many as 14 stitches done on his knee.
"They were completely beating up my players. I will always stand up for my players. Age-fudging is something that needs to be dealt with very seriously," said Bajaj.
He further went on to state that five-year-bans on the players and the clubs involved in cases of age-fudging, if implemented, could curb this menace.
What's next?
The department's reaction to the incident, or the lack of it, has left many people baffled. While no further action has been taken against Bajaj, it remains to be seen whether future instances of are dealt in a similar manner as well.
Author's take
Bajaj is may well have been extremely lucky to escape with a mere warning. However, such instances of alleged assault should be further delved into.
