Confirmed! Blackburn Rovers to face Pune FC on October 7

It is confirmed! I-League side Pune FC will face English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers on Friday, October 7 at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi-Mhalunge in Pune. The match was originally planed to be played on July 22, but due to the Mumbai bomb blasts on July 13 the match was postponed due to security reasons.

It will be the first-ever trip of the first team of an English Premier League club to India. The Rovers have since November 2010 been under the ownership of the Pune-based Venky's (Venkateshwara Hatcheries Group) and the Rao family has since then stated that their club would come to their Indian home city to showcase their talent.

Venky's director Balaji Rao said in a statement on Monday, "Security is paramount but so is our commitment to bringing Blackburn Rovers to India. And perhaps the visit now could not have been better timed. The club is riding on a high after its big win over Arsenal, and the players are eager to share the glory with their Indian fans."

For young Pune FC, only founded in 2007 and one of India's most professionally run clubs, it is a big honour to face such tough European opposition. For the Derrick Pereira coached I-League side it will be a real test ahead of the start of the I-League on October 22.

Pune FC Director Nandan Piramal said, "We are very happy to host them (Blackburn Rovers). The opportunity is great for the fans and on Pune FC's behalf I am happy to share this moment with the fans."

The visit of Blackburn Rovers at this time of the year is only possible due to the break for international fixtures in the club football calendar, but this also means that Rovers would miss their international players who will be on duty for their respective national teams.

The kick-off timing for match will be officially announced later.