Watch: Governor nudges Sunil Chhetri aside in photo-op, gets flak on Twitter

This has played out countless times over the years - politicians trying to nudge aside talent to be seen with a hand on the trophy in photographs.

It happened after Sunday's Durand Cup final in Kolkata in which Bengaluru FC, led by Sunil Chhetri, defeated Mumbai City FC 2-1. A video clip of the post-match presentation ceremony showed West Bengal Governor La Ganesan place his hand on Sunil Chhetri's shoulder and gently push him to the side so that he is better visible in photos.

The scene angered a lot of sports lovers who felt that was no way to treat one of the top footballers of the country, who is not just the captain of Bengaluru FC but also of the national team.


"Ladies & gentlemen, bringing you Shri La. Ganeshan, honorable Governor of West Bengal. #DurandCup The high-headedness is audacious. Not expected of a respectable figure, @LaGanesan. A public apology surely won't be too much to ask for," said a post on Twitter.

Many of those who commented expressed outrage over such disrespect shown to the football star. Others were sarcastic about how politicians generally behave on such occasions.
Another video said Sivasakthi Narayanan, the first goal-scorer in the final, also got a similar treatment only a few minutes earlier.

For Bengaluru FC and their captain Sunil Chhetri, it was the first-ever IndianOil Durand Cup title, overcoming Mumbai City FC 2-1 in the final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata on Sunday.

Siva Sakthi (10th minute) and Brazilian Alan Costa (61st) scored for the winners while Apuia got the lone goal for the Mumbai side in an entertaining match.

It was the fifth tournament goal for Siva Sakthi who gave the Blues an early lead. Mumbai got the equalizer at the half-hour mark when Sandesh Jhingan gave away a free-kick in a dangerous zone. BFC then got ahead for the second and final time, when off a Sunil Chhetri corner, Alan Costa jumped and nailed a header into the back of the Mumbai net.