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Ticket holders attending the Durand Cup semi-final between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Bengaluru FC here on Tuesday will not be allowed to enter the stadium with tifos, drums, smoke candles or other inflammable materials, the Kolkata Police said on Monday. The notice was issued in view of security concerns in the wake of the RG Kar Medical College protests. “…It is hereby requested to communicate through your authority to the participating teams i.e. Mohun Bagan Super Giants and Bengaluru FC that no tifos or drums, smoke candles or other inflammable materials will be allowed inside the stadium during the said match,” officials said in the notice signed by the Joint Commissioner of Police, Bidhannagar.
“It is requested that the above be clearly communicated to both the teams and their fans so that spectators arriving to watch the match scheduled on August 27 at VYBK, Salt Lake are aware of the same and cooperate with the security agencies in this regard.” “We anticipate positive cooperation from you and also the teams involved (MBSG and Bengaluru FC) in this regard, in order to ensure a smooth and enjoyable semi-final match on August 27,” they said in the notice.
Amid protests in Kolkata over the rape and murder of a post-graduate doctor at RG Kar Medical College, the city police and tournament organisers had earlier cancelled the derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, saying providing additional security for the clash would be a major challenge.
In a rare display of camaraderie, fans of arch-rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan gathered near the Salt Lake Stadium, the venue of the cancelled Kolkata Derby, to protest the alleged rape and murder of the doctor.
Asia's oldest football tournament is now in the final stages of the competition and Bengaluru FC have a tough task ahead of the reigning champions. Mogan Bagan have not only scored 10 goals but have also defended their citadel firmly, conceding just three goals.
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