Kerala Blasters on Friday created a controversy after the team decided to walk off the pitch and forfeit their all-important ISL IX playoff clash against Bengaluru FC, protesting against a contentious Sunil Chhetri strike. They now stare at tough sanctions from the league authorities.

After a barren regulation time action at the Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru FC took a 97th-minute lead when Chhetri converted a free-kick. But the strike led to drama as the Adrian Luna-led side protested referee Crystal John’s decision to declare it a legitimate goal, with counter-claims that he did not blow the whistle before Chhetri took the kick and the players were not ready.

This followed an unprecedented walk-out as the Serbian coach Ivan Vukomanovic called back his players. By virtue of their extra-time lead, Bengaluru FC were declared winners. They will travel to Mumbai City for the semis on Tuesday.

“I’ve never seen this in my 22-year career,” Chhetri said later.

In the second playoff, ATK Mohun Bagan take on Odisha FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday and a win will see them play Hyderabad FC in the semi-final.

“It’s important to win in 90 minutes, we’re not thinking about more than that,” ATK Mohun Bagan’s Spanish coach Juan Ferrando said on Friday.