The Durand Cup derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, scheduled for Sunday at the Salt Lake Stadium, has been called off due to the unrest prevailing in the city. The decision was taken following a meeting between Kolkata Police officials and the tournament organisers. The city has witnessed widespread protests following the alleged rape and murder of a post-graduate doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.
On Saturday, the Indian Medical Association called for a 24-hour nationwide strike to protest the heinous crime. Around a hundred thousand people are expected to gather near the 66,000-capacity stadium, especially after the Mohun Bagan and East Bengal fan clubs called for protests.
“On behalf of the Durand Cup Organising Committee, we regretfully inform you that the final Group A match between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Emami East Bengal FC, scheduled to be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on 18th August 2024 at 7:00 pm, stands abandoned,” a statement from Durand Cup Media said.
“The pre-derby press conference scheduled for 5.30 p.m. today (17 August 2024) is also cancelled,” he added.
All online and offline tickets will be refunded following the cancellation of the match, according to its ticketing partner Bookmyshow.
“The dates and the process of return will be announced in the next two days,” he added.
Both teams are known to be awarded one point each, but the decision has to be taken by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the country’s apex body for the sport. It is also not known whether the knockout stage matches and the summit clash, which is scheduled to be held at the Salt Lake Stadium on August 31, will be moved.
The clash between arch-rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, which was the first derby of the season, was also the last league match of the tournament. As per the current standings, Mohun Bagan is ahead on goal difference against East Bengal and both have six points each. The top six in the group and the two best runners-up teams will progress to the quarter-finals.
Fans ‘unite for a cause’
Despite the cancellation of the derby, the supporters’ clubs of Mohun Bagan and East Bengals have vowed to come together and make their “voices heard”.
“Sarkar maath atakale amra raasta atkabo (If the government stops us from entering the stadium, we will block the roads),” read a poster jointly released by the Mohun Bagan and East Bengal fan clubs.
Terming it a “Black Day” for Kolkata Maidan, Prasenjit Sarkar, president of Mariners’ Base Camp – Ultras Mohun Bagan, said fans of both clubs will come together for “a common cause – justice for victim RG Kar”.
“The government has dealt a major blow to football by cancelling the derby. The government’s action has shown a desire to impose autocratic rule and we cannot remain silent,” Sarkar told PTI.
“Tomorrow, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal fans will unite for one cause and no one will be able to stop our voices from being heard. There will be thousands of people lining the streets in front of the stadium.
“Politicians should never be allowed in the stadium. This time we will come together for a bigger cause. Together, with tifos and banners, we will demand justice. They may try to silence us, but we will not let our voices go unheard,” he added. Rabi Shankar Sen of ‘East Bengal the Real Power’ also said that they will turn up in large numbers and gather in front of the VIP gate of the stadium.
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