KBFC fans to do a mask protest with a twist: Materazzi will face 35,000 Zidanes in the stands

THE KERALA BLASTERS FANS will wear masks depicting the likeness of Zinedine Zidane to voice their disapproval of Chennaiyin FC head coach Marco Materazzi. 35,000 fans will reportedly wear the masks tonight in response of the events that took place after KBFC's away game against Chennaiyin FC ended. 

The last meeting between the two teams on October 29 this year ended in goalless draw. Just before the final whistle there was a confrontation between Kerala player Belfort and Chennayin's Blasi. This led to Materazzi getting involved and allegedly was seeing pushing away some support staff. Materazzi's action earned him a game's suspension. All this did not go down well with Blasters' fans who plan to make their feelings known by a large scale peaceful protest.

THIS awaits Marco Materazzi & co in #Kochi today - #HeroISL #KERvCHE #KER #KBFC #Indianfootball pic.twitter.com/wBRYL359f8

— football news india (@fni) November 12, 2016

This is not the first time fans are holding a mask protest in Indian football. Back in March, ten thousand Mohun Bagan fans wore masks depicting the face of their head coach, Sanjoy Sen, in an I-League game against Mumbai FC to protest against AIFF's decision to suspend him.

But what KBFC fans are doing is more large scale and has an unmistakable element of spiteful banter attached to it. The crowd is expected to wear Zidane masks mocking the Italian and world cup winner Materazzi to remind him of the incident that got him in the bad books so many football fans. Materazzi was headbutted by Zidane in the finals of the 2006 world cup after the latter was provoked by the Italian. It will be interesting to see how the plan of the home fans works out and if and how Materazzi would react to it.

Defending champions Chennaiyin FC play Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League at 6.50 pm tonight.

Get the latest in the world of Sports, Teams, and Players! Free Delivery to your Inbox.