The much-anticipated Durand Cup 2024 group stage match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan Super Giant, scheduled for August 18 at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, has been cancelled due to security concerns. The decision comes in the wake of ongoing protests in Kolkata following the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College, which has escalated tensions in the city.
According to a report by Sportstar, the Kolkata Police expressed concerns about their ability to provide adequate security for the high-profile Derby match. “Providing extra security for the Derby clash will be a big challenge,” a police source stated, underscoring the difficulties faced by law enforcement amid the volatile situation in the city.
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In light of the situation in Kolkata, there are discussions about relocating the remaining matches of the Durand Cup 2024 to Jamshedpur. However, the tournament committee is still considering various options.
As a result of the cancellation, both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan Super Giant will share a point each. While this is unlikely to impact Mohun Bagan, who have already secured their place in the quarterfinals, it places East Bengal in a challenging position. The Red-and-Gold Brigade currently sit second in Group A with seven points from three matches.
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Under the Durand Cup 2024 format, the top-ranked teams from each of the six groups automatically qualify for the quarterfinals, along with two of the best second-placed teams across all groups. East Bengal’s hopes now hinge on the outcome of the upcoming match between Goa and Shillong Lajong at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. If either team wins, they will surpass East Bengal, potentially knocking them out of the tournament and advancing alongside Punjab.
The cancellation of the Derby clash has left East Bengal supporters anxious as the team’s fate remains uncertain, dependent on the results of other matches. The ongoing unrest in Kolkata and its impact on the tournament have added an unexpected layer of tension to the historic Durand Cup, one of the oldest football competitions in the world.
