ISL: Kolkata Derby moved to Guwahati amid security concerns

The Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC, scheduled to take place at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on January 11 has now been moved to Guwahati owing to security concerns. 

The match will now take place on the same date but at a different venue - the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati. 

The reason behind this change is the Kolkata police not being able to provide the necessary security arrangements for the derby owing to the Gangasagar Fair. 

Initially, there were two other venues in mind, one in Jamshedpur and the other in Odisha.

Since Mohun Bagan have a match against Jamshedpur FC at Jamshedpur right after the derby, JFC did not agree to the ground being used for the derby and MBSG did not want the derby played in Odisha.

Therefore, after further discussions, the venue was finalized to be held in Guwahati, Assam, on the same day.

Mohun Bagan will be the home team in the derby, and will take the field against East Bengal on January 11 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.

The Mariners are in fine form this season, sitting at the top of the table with 32 points from 14 games, whereas after a forgettable opening set of games, East Bengal have fought back spectacularly under new coach Oscar Burzon. 

They are currently sitting in 11th spot, with 14 points from 14 games.