ISL 2020-21: Kozhikode's EMS Stadium will be the new home for Kerala Blasters

After months of wait, Kozhikode Municipal Corporation has taken a decision to allot the EMS Stadium as the home ground of Kerala Blasters. The formalities of renovating the ground to meet the ISL standards will be taken in a different meeting that will be scheduled later.

The development comes in the backdrop of an ongoing feud between the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), the Kochi Corporation and the Kerala Football Association (KFA) on one side, and the team management on the other.

Kerala Blasters for long were mulling to make Kozhikode its satellite city after it indicated that it has no intention to leave Kerala. Kerala sports minister E. P. Jayarajan had intervened in the matter as reports surfaced saying the ISL team was planning to shift it homeground to elsewhere owing to hurdles faced from the Kochi city administration.

The plan is to upgrade EMS Stadium to international standards. The Kerala ISL team has reportedly offered all assistance to rebuild the Kozhikode stadium.

There were reports that the police and other government agencies were working against the interest of the Kerala Blasters team. There were also reports earlier that football enthusiasts were unhappy with the overcharging of food, beverages and packaged water during the ISL matches. Fans were also angered by the seating arrangements at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium where the Kerala Blasters play their home games.

Also read: ISL 2020-21: Bartholomew Ogbeche close to committing future with Kerala Blasters