Chennaiyin FC, a prominent club in the Indian Super League, has accused Ranjit Bajaj, the owner of Delhi FC, of making racist comments against their head coach, Owen Coyle, during a Durand Cup match on Friday. The club has filed an official complaint with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Durand Cup organizing committee, demanding action against Bajaj.
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The incident took place in the 92nd minute of the match, which Chennaiyin FC won 2-1, securing their spot in the quarter-finals of the tournament. According to the complaint, Bajaj hurled racial slurs at Coyle, who is from Scotland, during a heated argument that erupted between the two benches. The referee had to intervene and show yellow cards to both parties, and Bajaj was eventually asked to leave the stadium in the 98th minute. Coyle also received a yellow card for his involvement in the altercation.
Bajaj has, however, denied making any racist remarks and claimed that it was Coyle and his assistant coach who abused him and his team. He also said that he had complained to the match official about their language and that he had evidence to prove his innocence. Bajaj also mentioned that he will take this fight to court and that Owen cannot be challenged by an Indian.
Bajaj mentioned in his long X post, “We INDIANS” do not move forward in football- then when he knows he screwed up as I complained to ref about his racist behaviour right in front of him, he comes up with a counter-complaint to save face.. he and his assistant got a yellow card from the ref for their provocative behaviour, along with me being sent off for reacting to his racist behaviour.”
This is not the first time that Bajaj has been involved in controversy. In April this year, he alleged that AIFF general secretary Kushal Das had molested employees at his workplace, a charge that was rejected by the federation and Das himself. Bajaj also faced several disciplinary actions from the AIFF when he owned Minerva Punjab FC, an I-League club that he sold in 2020.
