Ex-Premier League star sent off for petulant act sparks melee between India and Pakistan
A football fixture between India and Pakistan took an ugly turn after former Premier League player Igor Stimac prevented a member of the opposition from taking a throw-in
Any sporting showdown involving India and Pakistan is liable to see fireworks - and this year's SAFF Championship is no different.
A Group A duel between the bitter rivals exploded on Wednesday after a Pakistan player was prevented from taking a throw-in by the opposition manager. What followed was a 20-person scuffle at Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, involving players and backroom personnel from both teams.
And Premier League fans may recognise the man in the middle of the melee as former West Ham and Derby defender Igor Stimac. Used to winding up English defences once upon a time, the ex-Croatia international is now putting his powers of mental warfare to good use on the sidelines.
India were leading 2-0 in their opening game of the SAFF Championship and closing in on half-time when Pakistan went to take a quick throw. Convinced his team were owed a free-kick for a challenge in the build-up to the incident, however, Stimac reached out and tipped the ball from Abdullah Iqbal's hands just before he could take it.
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The 55-year-old was shown a straight red card for his intervention and forced to watch the remainder of the match from the stands. Not that it left the India boss with any sense of regret for his actions.
"Football is all about passion, especially when you defend the colours of your country," Stimac tweeted after the result. "You can hate or love me for my actions yesterday, but I am a warrior and I will do it again when needed to protect our boys on the pitch against unjustified decisions."
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India assistant Mahesh Gawli stepped in for Stimac for the remainder of the match and saw out another 2-0 result in the second half. He suggested the punishment against his superior may have been severe but sympathises with the referee: "Yeah, it was an offence that if you go by the book often attracts a red card. But yeah, then we feel that it might have been a bit harsh on the coach."
Stimac has managed the Blue Tigers since 2019 and has also led their under-23 programme in that time. His contract with India is set to expire at the end of July, however, with no clear indication as to whether he'll carry on in the role.
Almost a quarter-of-a-century on from his arrival at West Ham, Stimac will look back on those days when he shared dressing rooms with the likes of Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Paolo Di Canio. The centre-back left east London for a return to Hajduk Split in 2001 and retired from playing the following year.
Stimac once managed Croatia's national team but resigned after a little more than one year in the role following a struggle for results. Despite any criticism for Croatia's performances, the manager was praised for handing debuts to prospects like Mateo Kovacic and Alen Halilovic.