Punjab FC’s star forward, Luka Majcen, has been ruled out for 6-8 weeks after sustaining a severe injury during their Indian Super League (ISL) season opener against Kerala Blasters. The Slovenian striker suffered two fractures to his jaw in a highly controversial incident that has sparked debate among fans and pundits alike.
The injury occurred during Punjab FC’s clash with Kerala Blasters on Sunday at Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Majcen was on the receiving end of a hard challenge from Kerala’s Rahul KP, a foul that has led to significant backlash.
Although the Kerala Blasters player was shown a yellow card for the incident, many Indian football fans believe the challenge deserved a harsher punishment, with calls for a direct red card circulating widely on social media.
Majcen’s injury will require surgery, which is scheduled to take place in the coming days. Following the procedure, he will remain under medical supervision, and his return to action is expected to take anywhere between six to eight weeks, depending on how well he recovers and clearance from the medical team.
The injury to Majcen is a significant blow to Punjab FC, a team that managed to secure three points in their opening game despite the unfortunate incident. The 2024-25 season is just getting underway, and missing a key player like Majcen for such an extended period could have a substantial impact on their campaign.
Currently sitting in third place in the league standings after the hard-fought victory, Punjab FC will have to find ways to compensate for the absence of their talismanic forward in the upcoming fixtures.
Punjab FC’s Football Director, Nikolaos Topoliatis, expressed his disappointment with the situation. He criticized the aggressive nature of the foul, suggesting it was unnecessary and could have been avoided.
“It is unfortunate that we will miss the services of Luka for the upcoming fixtures. It was an unwanted aggressive foul by the Kerala Blasters player which resulted in Luka’s injury, and we as a club do not support such an aggressive nature of the game which yields to nothing. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he can join the team back as soon as possible,” Topoliatis said.
The incident has also reignited discussions around refereeing decisions in the ISL. Many fans argue that the yellow card issued to Rahul KP was too lenient for what they consider a reckless challenge. The debate reflects ongoing concerns over the consistency of officiating in the league, with some calling for stricter enforcement of rules to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Despite the injury setback, Punjab FC, under the leadership of head coach Panagiotis Dilberis, will be buoyed by their opening victory. The team edged out Kerala Blasters in a close contest, securing a 1-0 win to kick off their campaign. However, with Majcen now sidelined, the club faces the challenge of maintaining momentum without one of their key attacking players.
The absence of Majcen, a proven goalscorer with experience in various leagues, leaves a void in Punjab’s forward line. The Slovenian forward was expected to play a vital role this season after his standout performances in previous campaigns. His clinical finishing and ability to lead the attack will be sorely missed, and it remains to be seen how Punjab FC will adapt in his absence.
As the Shers look to build on their opening-week victory, they will have to rely on the depth of their squad to fill the gap left by Majcen’s injury. The next few weeks will be crucial for Punjab FC as they navigate this early-season challenge while keeping their eyes on maintaining a strong position in the league.
For Luka Majcen, the focus will now shift to recovery, with fans and teammates alike hoping for a swift return to action. In the meantime, the controversy surrounding the challenge that led to his injury continues to fuel discussions about player safety and officiating standards in the ISL.
