Mohun Bagan give walkover to East Bengal in CFL derby

City football giants East Bengal are all set to get three points as arch-rivals Mohun Bagan decided to give a walkover on Wednesday in the seasons first Kolkata derby.

The Richard Dryden-coached side are on the brink of history as a win against Mohammedan Sporting would secure their unprecedented seventh Calcutta Football League title.

The marquee tie was scheduled to take place at the Kalyani Stadium on Wednesday but Mohun Bagan stuck to their guns of not taking the field due to inadequate number of tickets provided to them and not enough preparation time given to players.

"Until the referee and match commissioner submit their report and the matter goes to CFL sub-committee, I cannot say anything," IFA secretary Utpal Ganguli told IANS.

According to an East Bengal official who was with the team in Kalyani, the red and gold brigade took the field as per schedule and all the formalities were adhered to.

"Everything was done in accordance with the rules. We reached the field before ninety minutes. The players warmed up. The officials were there for half an hour with our players. After 30 minutes, the match commissioner decided to call off the tie," an East Bengal official said.

"The best part was there were kids who were supposed to accompany players, wearing Mohun Bagan jerseys. Just that the players weren't there," added the official tongue in cheek.

--IANS

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