The CFL derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, scheduled at Naihati Stadium on Thursday has finally been cancelled. 

East Bengal team were present at the ground. Referees were there. The East Bengal fans were also waiting. But Mohun Bagan did not field their team, keeping the team list empty on their side. 

Match-commissioner Sunanda Bose waited for one hour after the scheduled time and declared the match ‘abandoned.’ 

IFA secretary Anirban Dutta informed, “CFL Premier Division League committee will have a detailed discussion about the final decision on the issue. Even, the matter can be forwarded to the IFA disciplinary committee. Then it will be decided on how Mohun Bagan Club will be punished for being absent in the match.” 

Mohun Bagan secretary Debashis Dutta however blasted the Bengal football’s ruling body in the media conference alleging, “Late Anjan Mitra once said Mohun Bagan Club should try to take affiliation of Jharkhand Football Association and play in their league as it is difficult to play the league under IFA. Remembering his words I would say it is high time to decide not to play in the CFL under the organization of incompetent IFA."

He added, " It is amazing that a match like a derby is going to be staged at Naihati Stadium and without a ticket." Dutta also challenged IFA adding, “If they have the guts they organize CFL without Mohun Bagan. We want to see.” According to the club secretary, they repeatedly asked IFA for a discussion regarding the scheduling of the derby match but IFA never responded.

IFA secretary Anirban Dutta refused to agree by commenting, “Mohun Bagan Club asked us not to allot the derby saying their most of the footballers would not be available due to their national duty. So, we could not slot it till the 22nd of this month. If we had slotted the derby on the 24th could they take part? They never informed us asking to slot the match on 24th December. Right from the beginning, it seemed Mohun Bagan were reluctant to play the derby.”

East Bengal however stood beside IFA. Debabrata Sarkar, the club’s senior official said, “We tried to respect the schedule made by the IFA and that is why our boys were present there.”