Indian Super League (ISL) leaders Kerala Blasters FC's match against ATK Mohun Bagan that was slated to be played at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Goa on Thursday was postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak within the Kochi-based outfit.
"Assessing the situation based on the advice of the league's medical team, Kerala Blasters FC are unable to field a team and safely prepare for and play the match," the league organisers said in a statement on Wednesday evening.
Ivan Vukomanovic's side have been stuck at their team hotel in Goa since their 2-0 win against Odisha FC on January 12. Their match against Mumbai City FC that was to be played on Sunday was also postponed after the league leaders were unable to field a side.
Indications are that the situation inside the Blasters camp has only worsened in the last few days with players, including foreign stars, and staff among those who have been infected.
According to the organisers, at least 15 players should be available per team for a match to happen. This is the fifth match to be postponed in the league this season since the bio-bubble was breached by the coronavirus. A match between Hyderabad FC and Jamshedpur FC was rescheduled on Monday.
Meanwhile, ATK Mohun Bagan, who were hard hit by Covid-19 last week, had returned to the training ground on Wednesday for the first time after 11 days.
But head coach Juan Ferrando will now have to wait until Sunday to have his participants back in action after the ISL on Wednesday decided to reschedule Mariners’ game against Odisha to January 23. The match was originally scheduled for January 8.
