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While Mohun Bagan, by the dint of a listless exhibition against Chennai City FC, may have, for all practical purposes, gone under the bus – the metaphoric one of course – their talismanic captain Sony Norde almost went under a real one.
The first ever I-League match held at a club ground had brought Mohun Bagan, the host, a plethora of insult having drawn with the developmental side, Indian Arrows, who were down to ten men, or rather boys, with about 25 minutes left to play.
At the culmination of the second match held at the Maidan yesterday, in rushed a river of calumny – Mohun Bagan lost 1-2 to a 10-men Chennai – eliciting a drastic measure from coach Sanjoy Sen. Sen had tendered his resignation verbally at the post-match press conference even before the concerned administrators were privy to it.
Norde, who had to helplessly witness the apathetic display must have been in a sorrowful state just like the officials, when he had eventually learned about the coach’s decision. As he exited the stadium’s main entrance, curious journalists arced around him to get his reaction on this new found development.
Skillfully, the Haitian footballer had tried to dodge them and as he was about to get across the road to reach his designated ride. Hounded by reporters, and with his head was turned back, Sony was unmindful of an approaching bus.
Were it not for an alert official, who checked Norde from advancing, possibilities of something grave could not have been entirely ruled out from happening. More so, when we could clearly see, when Norde lowered himself into the car’s seat, that he could barely fold his injured knee or move his leg.
This incident also laid bare the casual attitude of the officials when it comes to player’s safety. When clubs of other leagues exercise utmost care while plying their players to and from from the venues, players at club-level matches are almost taken for granted.
The new year has barely begun. It is about time that the clubs take care of such situations and ensure that they do not affect anyone, especially the players.
