New Delhi: Indian Super League side Odisha FC on Tuesday sacked its head coach Stuart Baxter for making a reference to rape while criticising a refereeing decision after the team’s loss to Jamshedpur FC.
“You need decisions to go your way, and they didn’t. I don’t know when we are going to get our penalty. One of my players will have to rape someone or get raped himself if he was going to get a penalty…,” Baxter said in the post-match interview.
His team had lost 0-1 at Bambolim in Goa. All ISL matches are being played in Goa.
The club has issued an official apology.
“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 apologise and the club management will handle this matter internally,” the statement, quoted by Indian Express, read.
Baxter was terminated with immediate effect, the club has announced.
(With PTI inputs)