Journalist from England reveals shocking police reaction and defends Mohun Bagan walkout

As the media headed off to the press conference of I-League CEO Sunando Dhar following the refusal of the Mohun Bagan team to take the field in the second half against East Bengal, chaos was prevalent both inside and outside the stadium as police were struggling to deal with angry Mohun Bagan fans.

Outside the stadium, there were clashes between both sets of fans, which is a common sight after derby matches, but on this occasion there were several injured, including police personnel.

Dhar revealed that Mohun Bagan could be suspended from the I-League for their walkout and questioned their decision of playing for a minute in the first half after Nabi was taken to the hospital and then suddenly refusing to take the field in the second half.

Nabi, who was hurt below his right ear, has had five to six stitches and is in a much better condition than when he was taken to the hospital, where he was unconscious.

Matthew Fearon, a journalist of an English newspaper who was in Kolkata to cover the Test match between England and India, spoke in between the press conference and stated why he felt Bagan did the right thing.

“I was there sitting in the Mohun Bagan stands with my wife. Like in any derby game, there were chaos and once the red card happened, the fans got angry and started throwing missiles in the ground. But what was shocking and I have it recorded that the police were throwing back missiles at the crowd. Then they were going up into the stands and attacking fans randomly.

“These things happen all over the world but nowhere does the police deal with the situation in this way. I can completely understand their (Mohun Bagan’s) refusal to play because one of their players were hurt and there was a fight between their fans and police,” Fearon stated.

Dhar reacted by accepting that it was a sad day for Indian football but pointed out that Mohun Bagan could still face serious consequences.

“According to Article 22 of our constitution, they (Mohun Bagan) could be suspended for not only this season but two more years. In that case all their matches this season will become null and void and it will become a 13-team league,” Dhar said.

All those decisions will only be taken once the I-League committee, AIFF executive and disciplinary committee assess the situation.

Dhar accepted law and order in the stadium was a concern towards the end of the first half but felt security was good enough for Mohun Bagan to play the second half.

“When the red card was given and after Nabi was taken away injured, there was a serious concern about security. But after that the police controlled the situation and the match should have continued. Mohun Bagan could have stopped playing in the first half itself but they didn’t.

“The match commissioner went to the Mohun Bagan dressing room at halftime and told them about the consequences (of a walkout). With 100,000 people in the stadium they (Mohun Bagan) should have considered their decision,” Dhar told the media.