Football News: Reprieve for defending champs Minerva Punjab in I-League

The All India Football Federation has decided that defending champions Minerva Punjab FC will get a re-match against the league newcomers Real Kashmir after the former had pulled out of their I-league encounter against Real Kashmir in Srinagar citing security concerns. Minerva Punjab and Real Kashmir were slated to meet in Srinagar on February 18 but the match did not take place after Minerva refused to travel to Srinagar, insisting that their foreign players had been advised against it by their respective embassies in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. Minerva went on to argue that their pullout could not be considered a forfeiture as it was security grounds. The club refused to forego the three points, taking the matter to the Delhi High Court. The court asked Minerva to go back to the AIFF I-League Committee for a resolution. The decision to have a re-match was, however, taken by the AIFF's Emergency Committee.