Srinagar: Amid a difficult run on the pitch, Real Kashmir FC is now confronting a serious off-field challenge after one of its players was allegedly approached by suspected match-fixers ahead of their recent league fixture.
According to sources within the club, the incident occurred prior to the Indian Football League (IFL) match between Real Kashmir FC and Namdhari FC at the TRC Ground in Srinagar on March 25.
A player reportedly received a phone call from an unknown individual who initially engaged in casual football-related conversation. However, the situation quickly turned suspicious when the caller allegedly asked for sensitive pre-match information, including team formation details.
“The conversation seemed normal at first, but it became questionable when the caller began seeking inside information about the team’s setup,” a club source said.
The red flag was raised when the caller allegedly went a step further and asked the player to deliberately receive a yellow card during the match—an act commonly associated with spot-fixing.
Realizing the seriousness of the approach, the player immediately terminated the call and informed the team management. The club, in turn, escalated the matter to the All India Football Federation.
“The player showed great awareness and integrity by reporting the incident without delay. His prompt action could play a crucial role in helping authorities track down those involved in such corrupt practices,” the source added.
The AIFF’s anti-corruption unit is expected to take up the matter and may initiate a formal investigation into the attempted breach.
Interestingly, during the match in question, which ended in a 1-0 defeat for Real Kashmir FC, no player from either side received a yellow card—further indicating that the approach did not influence the game.
The defeat extended Real Kashmir FC’s poor run in the ongoing IFL season, with the team still searching for its first win after five matches.
