AIFF Chief Criticises Cancellation Of East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan Derby Amid Protest Over Kolkata Rape-Murder

In a uncommon present of camaraderie, supporters of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan gathered close to the Salt Lake Stadium to protest in opposition to alleged rape and homicide of a physician at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Amid the continuing protests in Kolkata, the primary derby of the season between the 2 bitter rivals was cancelled on the eve of the match, on Saturday. The All India Football Association (AIFF) chief Kalyan Chaubey additionally joined the protest outdoors the enduring Salt Lake Stadium.

Protests have been rampant in Kolkata over the previous week or so over the alleged rape and homicide of a girl physician at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

In order to keep away from an analogous state of affairs contained in the stadium, the Kolkata derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan was cancelled on Saturday.

Reports had additionally claimed that the Durand Cup organisers have been additionally contemplating to shift the match outdoors Kolkata, with Jamshedpur main the race to host the match.

Chaubey, nonetheless, criticised the choice to cancel the match, and was additionally not in favour to shift the matches outdoors Kolkata.

“The first derby match of the season between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan was scheduled to be held as we speak and the variety of police personnel that has been deployed right here to cease this match and to arrest the supporters who had come to look at the match, if even half of them have been deployed then this match would have taken place as we speak. East Bengal, Mohun Bagan matches needs to be held right here,” Chaubey advised the reporters throughout the protest.

Chaubey additionally demanded that the cluprit(s) behind the alleged rape and homicide of the girl physician have to be punished.

“I consider that soccer just isn’t concerned in any politics, it’s above all faith, caste. I’m absolutely assured that should you manage the match right here, there might be no ruckus, no unrest within the soccer floor, I’m absolutely assured that every one the folks will assist their groups peacefully however the match shouldn’t be shifted from right here…The folks of soccer additionally need that the wrongdoer needs to be caught as quickly as doable and the wrongdoer needs to be punished,” he added.