Mohun Bagan formally appeal against their I-League ban

Mohun Bagan were banned for 2 years by AIFF for forfeiting the I-league match against East Bengal, after violence broke out in the crowd during the December 9 derby in Kolkata.

Mohun Bagan have officially appealed against their two-year ban from the I-League by writing a letter to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel on Monday.

In their letter, Mohun Bagan requested the federation to rethink their decision stating that they had not fielded their team in the second half to avoid a massacre similar to the one seen on August 16 1980, when several fans died due to crowd violence at the Eden Gardens. Mohun Bagan added that the fact that they have such a big fan following should also be considered by the AIFF.

It was further learnt, that the green-and-maroon brigade have requested for the postponement of the next I-League core committee meeting, which was scheduled on January 9 to decide whether Mohun Bagan’s punishment should be increased.

Instead, Asia’s oldest club have requested for the AIFF executive committee to meet and reconsider the ban.

The AIFF have received the letter and it was reliably learnt that they will seek legal advice before taking their next step in this issue.