Crystal John in limelight again: Churchill Brothers’ president calls out referee after I-league match against Sreenidi Deccan
Crystal John in limelight again: Churchill Brothers’ president calls out referee after I-league match against Sreenidi Deccan
Indian referee Crystal John has been involved in a controversial incident yet again, this time during the I League 2024-25 clash between Churchill Brothers FC Goa and Sreenidi Deccan FC at the Raia Panchayat Ground in Goa on Sunday.
League leader Churchill took the lead through Pape Gassama’s first-half strike and seemed to be heading to a victory but was denied all three points after David Castaneda Munoz converted a last-gasp penalty in the 12th minute of stoppage time.
After the seven minutes of the designated added time was played, the referee continued to let the game go on, prompting outrage from the home side and its president.
“Referees’ decisions in so many games have gone against my team and other teams just to push a particular team. It looks as though certain sections of the AIFF are hell-bent on ensuring that my team does not become the champions,” Churchill’s club President Churchill Alemao said in a statement shared on social media.
“What transpired today in our match against Sreenidhi Deccan was simply baffling. We led 1-0 with 90 minutes having been played. The Referee Mr Crystal John, no newcomer to controversy, added seven more minutes. But even after nine minutes of added-on time was played, he did not blow the final whistle despite looking at his watch two after eight minutes had been played and the 4 th official telling our head coach that the final kick of the match was after we got the free kick,” he added.
John had previously come under fire after a controversial call during the 2022-23 ISL playoff tie between Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC. In that game, his decision to award Sunil Chhetri the goal — from a free-kick — prompted the Blasters to stage a walkout, leading to BFC winning the game.
Despite the result, Churchill remains first in the standings with 38 points from 20 games, three ahead of Inter Kashi which has played a game less.
