After receiving a huge backlash from the public, Indian Super League club Odisha FC issued an apology over the appalling comments made by the manager Stuart Baxter in a post-match interview with Star Sports.
67-year old, Stuart Baxter from England is the head coach of Odisha Football club. He questioned a decision made against his team during the match. The Odisha club lost the match by 1-0 to Jamshedpur FC at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Monday.
“I have to say, you need decisions to go your way and I don’t know what we have to do get a penalty. One of my players would have to rape or get raped in the box to get a penalty,” Baxter said in an interview after the match.
A penalty decision went against Odisha FC when Diego Mauricio was brought down by TP Rehenesh. Mauricio was through on goal and then Rehenesh came to collect the ball. But instead, he caught Mauricio. Following which the referee gave Odisha a corner kick.
Odisha FC has issued an apology statement, “The Club is appalled at the comments made by Head Coach, Stuart Baxter during the post-match interview today. It is completely unacceptable whatever the context and does not reflect the values of the club. We, at Odisha FC, unreservedly apologize and the club management will handle this matter internally.”
The club owner Rohan Sharma also expressed his perplexity and tweeted, “I am absolutely disgusted and infuriated by the comments. I’ve said Odisha FC is a safe space for all, and to make light of a serious awful crime in such an offhanded way is reprehensible. I sincerely apologize to everyone on my behalf and the club’s. Please be rest assured I am not going to take this matter lightly.”
