Fan protest turns ugly at East Bengal tent - players, officials heckled and pushed
THE AFTERMATH OF losing the Kolkata Derby to Mohun Bagan has hit East Bengal hard.
An already swelling fan discontent towards the club officials as well as the team for slipping off from the I-League title race boiled over this morning as a bunch of fans showed up to protest at the club premises and things took an unpleasant turn.
Dozens of Red and Gold supporters showed up at the club gates this morning. They were carrying signs that accused club officials of playing politics inside the club and not putting the team's performance first.
When the team turned up to practice at the East Bengal Ground, heated chants and slogans ensued. Head coach Trevor Morgan got surrounded by a group of angry fans who met him with "Go back Morgan" shouts. The British coach had to be escorted to the pitch.
But the players were not spared either as many fans heckled them as they came on to the practice pitch. Goalkeeper Rehenesh TP, met with harsh words from fans, reportedly physically retaliated. In reply, some of the fans pushed him around.
When the officials came in trying to calm down the situation they were met with equal harshness from the fans. Kalyan Majumder, a top official of the club, was pushed and shoved by the fans. Later on, he condemned the fans' conduct,
"A fringe group of supporters are causing all these problems in the club. They should be ashamed."
The club is months away from elections for some key positions in the management. Not winning the Derby, potentially losing out on yet another opportunity to win the league for the first time since 2004, plus the sacking of assistant coach and goalkeeping coach in the middle of the season... it all adds up to a lack of commitment from the club officials in the eyes of some fans.
This day of unrest at the club comes just a day before the Bengali New Year's Day; an occasion traditionally celebrated by Kolkata clubs with a gathering of fans and a 'bar-puja' at the club ground. But seeing how today's protest went down, tomorrow's even may see further unrest unfold at the East Bengal tent.
