Mumbai player scuffles with Bengaluru fans
Soon after the match between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore, Mumbai striker Amoes Do entered the most crowded section of the stadium to confront a group of fans who were giving him a mouthful during the match. Scenes quickly turned ugly and he got into a scuffle with them. The police had to resort to lathi charge and empty the stand. Do is believed to have suffered a minor head injury during the bust up.
A Mumbai FC official said the players were constantly being taunted by Bengaluru fans, who also threw water bottles aimed at the dug-out. Do, who was with Bengaluru FC last season and is a local boy, was an easy target for the fans. “They tried to instigate the team and especially Do as he was the local boy playing for the rival team. Do is young and got carried away. He knew the people who were abusing him and decided to confront them. Unfortunately, it got slightly out of control,” the official said.
It isn’t clear if the All India Football Federation (AIFF) or the club will take action against the player. Mumbai were given a rough treatment by the Bengaluru fans during the last meeting between the two sides as well. Even the two managers, Mumbai’s Khalid Jamil and Bengaluru’s Ashley Westwood, share a frosty relationship, which was evident from their animated prowling at the touchline.
The incident overshadowed the entertaining draw played out by the two sides. Mumbai, who came into the match following a 6-0 thumping at the hands of Shillong Lajong, showed character to take the lead against the defending champions. Defender Rahul Bheke put Mumbai in front in the 67th minute but India international Robin Singh equalised in the 88th minute to salvage a point for Bengaluru.
