Odisha FC head coach Stuart Baxter was on Tuesday sacked following his comments on rape while criticising a refereeing decision during Monday night’s loss to Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League (ISL).

In his post-match comments after the 1-0 loss at the GMC Stadium in Bambolin, Goa, Baxter said one of his players “will have to rape someone or be raped” to be awarded a penalty, PTI reported. 

The club has confirmed they will appoint an interim coach for the rest of the season.

“Odisha FC has decided to terminate Head Coach Stuart Baxter’s contract with immediate effect. Interim Coach for the remainder of the season will be announced soon,” a statement said. 

Baxter was left fuming after the referee turned down a late penalty appeal by his side after Diego Mauricio was tripped inside the box by TP Rehenesh as Jamshedpur saw out a fiercely-contested win. 

“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. 

The club promptly issued an apology for the Englishman’s unsavoury comments, adding that his views did not reflect their values. 

“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,” the club said in a tweet on Monday. 

“We, at Odisha FC, unreservedly apologize and the club management will handle this matter internally,” it said. 

Also read: ISL: In a swap, Jackichand Singh returns to Mumbai City FC; Farukh Choudhary to Jamshedpur

Odisha are rock-bottom of the ISL table, with just one win and five draws from 14 matches.