Blasters - GCDA dispute resolved, ISL match to be held in Kaloor confirmed to go ahead as scheduled

KOCHI: Tomorrow's ISL match, which was in doubt following a dispute over rent arrears, has been confirmed to go ahead as scheduled. The issue was resolved after the dispute between Kerala Blasters and the Greater Cochin Development Authority was resolved. The GCDA has given Blasters time to pay the rent and arrears. It was decided to hand over the stadium on the assurance that Rs 28 lakh would be paid within a week.

The ISL match was in crisis when the GCDA authorities closed the Blasters' office at the Kaloor Stadium due to non-payment of rent. The Blasters representatives who had come to the stadium for match preparations were evicted by the GCDA officials. The security officials' unwillingness to hand over the press conference venue also led to protests. The pre-match press conference had to be organised online.

The issue was resolved after discussions between Blasters CEO Abeek Chatterjee, the owners and GCDA officials. Blasters had earlier requested more time to pay the rent. With GCDA ready to hand over the stadium, the uncertainty regarding tomorrow's match has been removed.