Security deposit row: Experts warn future international matches at Kochi stadium may be jeopardised

The disruption of the Indian football team’s press conference over a security deposit row could hamper future international football matches in Kochi. A section of sports experts has opined that current developments may lead FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to reconsider hosting matches in the city.

The incident, which prevented the Indian team’s pre-match press conference ahead of the India–Hong Kong Asian Cup qualifier, made headlines at the international level. The GCDA’s stance that entry could not be allowed as the stadium security deposit had not been paid forced Indian coach Khalid Jamil and the players to leave without holding the press conference. Earlier, Kerala Blasters had faced a similar experience with the GCDA in the ISL.

The dispute over the security deposit, which has created uncertainty over matches, occurred at a time when security concerns at the stadium remain unresolved. FIFA mandates that actions like this, which raise doubts over whether a game will take place, must never occur.

India is set to face Hong Kong in Kochi on 31 March in the Asian Cup qualifiers. This will be the first international football match in Kochi in over a decade.