Mohun Bagan Super Giant has called upon its fans to boycott the upcoming Kolkata derby against East Bengal Sporting Club due to higher ticket prices for the Away team’s stands. It has even issued an official statement to the effect. “It is unprecedented anywhere in the world that Away team fans will have to buy match tickets at a price that is almost double than that of the Home team stands,” said Mohun Bagan in an official statement. ‘This communication may be treated as an official boycott of the upcoming derby from our side,” the release further added.
In what is being viewed as a counter move, Mohun Bagan said it will not buy or sell tickets for the match. It also asked its fans to boycott the match. “We unequivocally condemn the unsportsmanlike behaviour of East Bengal and have decided that we will neither buy nor sell any tickets of the derby match of ISL between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal Club,” said the statement.
Clear disparity in ticket pricing between the two sides
There is a clear disparity in ticket pricing for the upcoming ISL match between the age-old bitter rivals with some Mohun Bagan stands costing more than double the price of East Bengal who are the hosts of the match. The prices range from INR 100 – 1000 per ticket for East Bengal stands, while in case of Mohun Bagan it is between INR 250 – 3000.
East Bengal are set to host Mohun Bagan at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (popularly known as Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata on Saturday. The kick-off for the March 10 match between the arch rivals is scheduled at 8.30 pm. The last time the two met in a derby was on February 3 when the match was tied and both clubs came away with a point each.
Speaking on the situation, East Bengal executive committee member Debabrata Sarkar termed the situation “sad”. He said in future they would ensure it does not happen. “The ticket pricings for the match have been done by Emami (the principal owners). The situation is sad. We hope it does not happen in the future. I have spoken to the sports minister, but as of now nothing can be done,” Sarkar was quoted as saying to PTI.
The green and maroon team remains among the top three in the ISL table
Currently, Mohun Bagan is at the 3rd position in the table with 33 points from 16 matches. On the other hand, East Bengal is far down the table at the 10th position with 18 points from 18 matches
Bengali