The highly anticipated Indian Super League (ISL) cup final between Mumbai City and Mohun Bagan SG took an unexpected turn as refereeing errors cast a shadow over the match, potentially influencing its outcome.
The clash, held at the renowned Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, witnessed Mumbai City dominating the first half with a commendable performance. However, controversies arose in crucial moments that could have altered the game’s trajectory significantly.

In the 27th minute, a pivotal event unfolded when Jorge Pereyra Diaz delivered a cross into the box, aiming for Vikram Partap’s header. Mohun Bagan’s Hector Yuste, marking Partap, controversially cleared the ball with his hand, a clear handball offense that warranted a penalty. Despite being in an optimal position to spot the infringement, the referee chose not to penalize Yuste, sparking protests from Mumbai City’s side.

The refereeing debacle continued in the 55th minute when Vishal Kaith, Mumbai City’s goalkeeper, committed a critical error by handling the ball outside the designated area. Kaith’s action, catching the ball beyond the line after a backpass from Yuste, drew protests from Diaz and clear observations from the linesman. However, the referee once again refrained from intervening, allowing play to proceed.
These incidents have reignited the long-standing issue of inconsistent refereeing in the ISL, raising concerns about its impact on the fairness of matches and potential game-changing moments. Such errors not only affect individual games but also have the capacity to sway the destiny of titles, highlighting the urgent need for rectification within Indian football’s refereeing standards.
The persisting problem of refereeing inconsistencies in the ISL underscores the imperative for comprehensive measures to ensure fair play and maintain the league’s integrity. Fans, players, and stakeholders alike call for decisive actions to address these issues and uphold the spirit of competitive football in India.