Kalyan Chaubey. (PTI Picture)
Wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, requesting her to make sure that the Durand Cup semifinal and remaining fixtures are held within the metropolis as scheduled.
All India Soccer Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey on Wednesday wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, requesting her to make sure that the Durand Cup matches are held within the metropolis as scheduled.
Fearing safety issues attributable to widespread protests after a trainee physician’s alleged rape and homicide, the organisers had known as off the Durand Cup derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal on August 18.
Reigning champions Mohun Bagan and East Bengal are additionally not taking part in their quarterfinal matches at house. Mohun Bagan face Punjab FC within the quarterfinal in Jamshedpur on August 23 whereas East Bengal play in opposition to Shillong Lajong in Shillong afterward Wednesday.
The Salt Lake Stadium is, nonetheless, scheduled to host the Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters quarterfinal match on Friday.
The organisers are additionally but to make any announcement on the venue for the semifinals (August 25 and 27) and remaining (August 31) that are slated to be held on the Salt Lake Stadium right here.
“I’ve obtained quite a few appeals from not simply the supporters of collaborating groups but in addition soccer followers the world over requesting the reinstatement of the Durand Cup matches in Kolkata,” Chaubey stated within the letter.
“In my capability because the President of the AIFF, I earnestly urge your workplace to take all needed steps and measures to make sure that the Durand Cup matches could be held in Kolkata as scheduled.”
The choice to cancel the Bagan-East Bengal derby match was taken following a gathering between the Kolkata Police officers and organisers of the event.
“As you’re conscious, the Durand Cup derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, scheduled for Sunday (18th August 2024), needed to be known as off attributable to intelligence inputs indicating potential violence on the venue.
“The Derby match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan is thought to be one of many prime 5 most well-known derbies on the planet. The Durand Cup, established in 1888, is the fourth oldest soccer event globally.
“Each Mohun Bagan and East Bengal established within the years 1889 and 1920, respectively have wealthy histories and are synonymous with Kolkata’s id and its passionate soccer tradition,” the AIFF president stated within the letter.
Earlier on Sunday, former India goalkeeper Chaubey, who can be a BJP politician, had lashed out on the Trinamool Congress-led state administration.
“It feels some sort of a riot is occurring right here. It’s very shameful and it’s an entire failure of regulation and order in West Bengal {that a} soccer match couldn’t occur right here,” Chaubey stated.
“If half of the police drive that’s deployed to arrest the followers and cease the protest was there on the stadium, the match would have occurred peacefully.
“Why ought to our groups exit to different locations — Jamshedpur, Shillong — to play soccer? That is the mecca of Indian soccer, and soccer ought to occur right here.
“Soccer is past politics, faith or any color. The match shouldn’t have been cancelled. If the followers are arrested, it’s a disgrace for the state’s regulation and order,” he added.
Conserving their bitter rivalry apart, and braving relentless downpour, 1000’s of followers of Kolkata’s ‘Large Three’ soccer golf equipment — Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting — had come collectively to protest in opposition to the alleged rape and homicide of a health care provider at RG Kar Medical School and Hospital.
Unprecedented scenes had been witnessed exterior the Salt Lake Stadium as India defender and Mohun Bagan captain Subhasish Bose and Chaubey joined the protest march, “demanding justice” for the RG Kar sufferer.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – PTI)
