The ISL eliminator was decided in controversial fashion amid unprecedented scenes on Friday after the Kerala Blasters team walked off the pitch in the first half of extra time - in protest against what they deemed to be an illegal free-kick taken by Bengaluru FC. The free-kick was taken by Sunil Chhetri before the Blasters' players had formed a wall or the referee had sprayed the line marking the distance; the shot went into the goal, prompting angry scenes from the Kerala Blasters players and even their coach, Ivan Vukomanovic, leading to them walking off the pitch and, after a while, down the tunnel and into their dressing room.
The match was called off and awarded to Bengaluru - who were leading 1-0, thanks to that free-kick - once the regulation time was over. There has been no statement from AIFF on the incident, nor any official comment by Kerala Blasters.
Chhetri, speaking to the official broadcasters and also at the post-match press conference, said his action was legitimate. "So what happens is, they [referees] always ask - do you [need the] whistle or do you need the wall? So I said, I don't need the wall, neither do I need the whistle. I always do it so that if I have a chance, I take it. If not, then I say, okay, fine. Get the wall [in place], get the whistle, because you always have that option."
The controversy came after a BFC attack. Chettri, on as a sub, was released down the right flank, prompting furious calls from the Blasters' bench that he was offside. The move continued after a bit of back and forth, only ending when Chhetri was brought down just outside the penalty area in a central area.
With the referee still at the spot, marking it out, the Blasters defence arranging themselves into a wall, the Blasters' goalkeeper standing well off his line trying to have it set up, Chhetri looked up at the ref, and it looked like he had a quiet word before taking the kick.
For a split-second time stood still for everything but the ball. Everyone stood motionless as the ball sailed into the net. The referee, Crystal John, gave the goal. What followed were some of the most extraordinary scenes ever witnessed in top-level football in this country.
A furious Blasters manager, Ivan Vukomanovic, walked onto the pitch and started arguing with John. Realising the referee wasn't going to change his mind, he called his team and walked off. They waited at the corner flag nearest the tunnel (leading to the dressing rooms).
The home fans, seated right above them, were in an agitated state and in the chaos a few plastic bottles were thrown at the waiting Blasters team. With the referee insisting that he had got the decision right, Vukomanovic led the team down the tunnel and out of sight.
This was around minute 100. For the remaining 20 minutes, Bengaluru stood on the field as officials tried to discuss matters with the Blasters camp, to no avail. The clock ran itself out, the crowd whipped itself into states of frenzy, confusion, and more frenzy as their team stood in the middle of the pitch applauding them.