Players perform amid snakes at I-League venue

Kolkata - The footballers of Mohun Bagan and Pailan Arrows had plenty of unwanted company during their I-League game at Kalyani near here Sunday – poisonous snakes which roamed freely on the playground as well as near the dressing rooms.

The game at the Kalyani Stadium went on unhindered as the players had no knowledge of the presence of around a dozen reptiles. The snakes were discovered after Mohun Bagan’s 3-2 win. The footballers came to know of it only then and naturally seemed shocked.

“It is shocking. I would be terrified if I am again asked to play there,” said a Mohun Bagan midfielder.

An All India Football Federation official, however, said that there were no plans to shift the remaining matches to be played at the venue. “We have issued instructions that the authorities ensure proper safety measures are in place.”