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Real Kashmir FC hogged the limelight after they qualified for the I-League this season by winning the Second Division League, becoming the first team to do so. The ‘Snow Leopards’ made headlines throughout the league this season for their clinical performances, which have made them possible title contenders.
But now, they are in the news as Minerva Punjab FC refused to travel to Srinagar and play Real Kashmir owing to security concerns after the ‘Pulwama’ Terror attack.
ALSO READ: Minerva Punjab Move Delhi High Court over Real Kashmir match
East Bengal are also scheduled to play Real Kashmir at the TRC Stadium in Srinagar but it is still not sure whether the match would take place or not. There is word around that Real Kashmir’s home matches may be shifted outside Srinagar.
However, this is not the first time that a match was abandoned in Indian football.
Let us have a look at 5 instances when matches have been abandoned in Indian football:
#5 Salgaoncar vs Air India (National Football League 1996-97)
Let’s turn the clocks back to 1997, to the first season of the National Football League (which later became the I-League). Air India (based in Mumbai) had to play an away match against Salgaoncar in Margao, Goa. The visitors took the lead, which was more than what the home fans could take. There were disturbances from the crowd which turned violent. Without taking any risks, the All India Football Federation decided to abandon the match with a replay later on.
#4 United Sports Club vs Railways FC (IFA League 2015)
Probably the most interesting match to feature on this list. A Premier ‘B’ division match of the IFA League between United SC and Railway FC had to be abandoned because the pitch was invaded by four monkeys at the Khardah Stadium in the outskirts of Kolkata.
The guests arrived at 2 pm, which forced the kick-off to shift a little after 2.15 pm, which was the scheduled time. Soon after the match got underway, Railway FC took the lead but he opponents levelled the score later on. It was only after the half-hour mark that the monkeys reappeared once again following which the match was abandoned.
ALSO READ: Bengaluru FC ready to play Real Kashmir in Srinagar
#3 Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal (Calcutta Football League, 2016)
Mohun Bagan were hit by a roadblock in their pursuit of a first Calcutta Football League title since 2009. They were denied two goals during the tie against Tollygunge Agragami. The top officials complained to the Indian Football Association (IFA) and claimed that they wanted a replay of the game. There was no reply match on the cards.
“We will wait for IFA to reschedule the fixtures before taking a decision on whether to continue in the league,” said the then Bagan secretary Anjan Mitra. In reply, the IFA Secretary Utpal Ganguly said, “What happened today is very disappointing. I will wait for the referee’s report before taking action.”
The ‘Mariners’ threatened to boycott the ‘Kolkata Derby’ which was scheduled a few days following that match at the Kalyani Stadium.
East Bengal were present at the stadium on the match day, that is September 7, 2016, but their rivals did not appear for the match. East Bengal were handed a 3-0 win and three points after Mohun Bagan's forfeit, helping the Red and Golds clinch the Calcutta Football League.
#2 Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal (I-League 2012)
The stage was set for a big occasion and the stands were filled to the brim. It was the perfect setting for a ‘Kolkata Derby,’ but unfortunately, the match was played only for 45 minutes. The first clash between the two historic clubs in the 2012-13 I-League season will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
East Bengal were leading after a 43rd-minute-strike from Harmanjot Singh Khabra but the incidents that followed were unfortunate.
Mohun Bagan’s Nigerian striker Odafa Okolie was shown a second yellow. Moments after the goal, Harmanjot won a free-kick because of a foul by Nirmal Chettri. Out of the blue, Odafa came charging and picked up a needless red card, which was the root cause of all the problems. The crowd went berserk.
Following the suspension, a stone was thrown from the stands and it hit the face of Mohun Bagan’s Syed Rahim Nabi. The player started bleeding and was carried outside the field. The ‘green and maroon’ brigade did not turn up for the second half as a sign of protest and the match was abandoned. East Bengal were awarded three points from this fixture.
#1 East Bengal vs Palmeiras 'B' (IFA Shield, 2001)
The IFA Shield is one of the most prestigious tournaments in Indian football. But it had a dark moment during its 2001 edition when Brazil’s Palmeiras ‘B’ team visited Kolkata to participate in the tournament. Local team East Bengal and the South American club were scheduled to play the final at the Salt Lake Stadium.
The Kolkata-based team played their semi-final clash against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan just a day before and were not inclined to play that day. But the organisers turned a deaf ear to their complaints because the away team had a flight back home the day after.
East Bengal were also not happy with the match ball that was being used, urging the fourth official to change it. After 15 minutes of play, the referee changed the match ball, which compelled the visitors to march off the field in protest.
The match resumed eight minutes later.
Later on, in the 25th minute, Reinaldo scored a long ranger to give Palmeiras the lead. Backed by a strong home crowd, East Bengal players resorted to rash tackles and unnecessary tussles with their opponents after conceding that goal.
The Brazilian team also replied in a similar manner until things went out of control when East Bengal’s Nigerian recruit Omoloja Olalekan was fouled near the Palmeiras box. This led to an ugly brawl, which left a few players injured. The match was called off soon.
A couple of days later, East Bengal were declared the winners after IFA ruled Palmeiras out for indiscipline.
