Football
Mohun Bagan calls for boycott of Kolkata Derby, accuses East Bengal of discrepancy in ticket pricing
This ticket pricing discrepancy has sparked outrage among Mohun Bagan supporters, who feel they are being unfairly treated compared to their East Bengal counterparts.
Durand Cup Final (Kolkata derby)
The Kolkata Derby, known for its intense rivalry between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, has been embroiled in a fresh controversy just days before the much-anticipated clash. As fans eagerly awaited the East Bengal-Mohun Bagan Super Giant ISL 2024 game, which was recently rescheduled to address security concerns related to local elections, a new issue has emerged – unfair ticket pricing.
Amidst sighs of relief over the game's scheduling, East Bengal has been accused of discriminatory ticket pricing by Mohun Bagan for the high-voltage match. The dispute has been revolving around the varying ticket prices offered to supporters of both clubs, sparking outrage in the Mohun Bagan camp.
East Bengal's pricing structure offers tickets at INR 100 for stands B1 and B2, and INR 150 for A1 stand tickets. Home fans have the option to purchase C1 right and C3 right tickets for INR 200.
The minimum ticket price for Mohun Bagan supporters' stands has been set at INR 250, with tickets available for stands B2 and D3, specifically allocated for Mohun Bagan supporters. VIP box tickets for East Bengal are priced at INR 1000, while Mohun Bagan's are set at INR 1500.
The disparity in ticket prices has led Mohun Bagan to release a scathing statement, calling for a boycott of the upcoming Kolkata Derby against East Bengal. The club expressed strong discontent with what they termed as "unsportsmanlike behaviour" by East Bengal.
In their official statement, Mohun Bagan declared, "Under the circumstances, 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 which is scheduled on 10th March 2024 at VYBK. This communication may be treated as an official boycott call of the upcoming derby from our side."
The rivalry between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan is among the oldest and fiercest in Indian football, often marked by intense passion both on and off the field. With Mohun Bagan's call for a boycott, fans are left awaiting further developments as the focus shifts to league organisers and authorities to address the issue and ensure fair play prevails in this highly anticipated fixture.
