Ashutosh Mehta kept off the field after late substitution error as SC Delhi draw with FC Goa at Fatorda

Ashutosh Mehta was prevented from entering the field during Sporting Club Delhi’s 1-1 draw with FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium in the MG Indian Super League on Wednesday. The enforced delay followed a late substitution intended to protect Delhi’s 1-0 lead, which ended with FC Goa levelling in stoppage time.

Sporting Club Delhi held a 1-0 advantage when manager Tomasz Tchórz signalled for a change and raised the board to bring on Ashutosh Mehta. Rodriguinho, who had scored five against Defenders FC at the Durand Cup and provided Delhi’s only assist that night, was chosen to be taken off. Within a minute of the board being shown, Delhi conceded the equaliser.

Under IFAB’s amended Laws of the Game, in force since 1st July, a player being substituted must leave the field within 10 seconds of the board being shown or the referee signalling the change. If that 10-second window is missed, the substitution cannot be cancelled or altered once it has begun, and Tchórz could not undo the decision. Rodriguinho crossed the touchline only after the 10 seconds had expired.

Ashutosh Mehta, kit on and waiting, was held at the touchline while Delhi restarted the match with ten players. FC Goa were then awarded a free kick. Although a stoppage would normally permit the substitute to enter, the one-minute clock hadn’t run out and the official’s hand stayed out, keeping Mehta off the pitch.

The set piece was played into the box, where Álex Vallejo reached the ball first and scored the equaliser in the 90+5th minute. Juan Pena had put Sporting Club Delhi ahead in the 52nd minute, and the match ended 1-1.

Delhi’s bench watched the lead vanish as FC Goa celebrated, and Tomasz Tchórz moved toward the bench to scold a resting Rodriguinho. The report described the loss as one caused by process rather than tactics, noting the slow exit inside the 10-second window and the unfortunate timing of the set piece as a harsh lesson for a young side still chasing its first win.

As a consequence of the incident, the article suggested every ISL bench would have noticed the rule and that substitutes are likely to be briefed to leave from the nearest touchline and do so quickly.