The much-anticipated Durand Cup Group A match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, scheduled for Sunday at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, has been abandoned due to security concerns. The city has been engulfed in protests following the tragic rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College, making it challenging for city police to ensure adequate security for the high-profile match.
In an official statement, the Durand Cup Organizing Committee announced, “The final Group A fixture between MBSG and EBFC, scheduled to be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on August 18, 2024, at 7.00 pm, stands abandoned.”
With security being the primary concern, sources indicate that the match tickets are likely to be fully refunded. Additionally, discussions are underway about potentially relocating the remainder of the tournament from Kolkata, with Jamshedpur being considered as an alternative, though logistical challenges remain.
Despite the abandonment of the match, both EBFC and MBSG have advanced to the quarterfinals after sharing points. The two clubs are historically the most successful in the Durand Cup, with Mohun Bagan holding a record 17 titles, followed closely by East Bengal with 16.
Interestingly, fans of the two fierce rivals had planned to come together in a show of solidarity with the victim during the match, underscoring the gravity of the situation in Kolkata.
