Green Tribunal forces the Mohun Bagan vs Churchill fixture to be moved to Barasat

SUNDAY'S I-LEAGUE CLASH between Mohun Bagan and Churchill Brothers was put into doubt earlier this morning when the Kolkata-based environmental watchdog Green Tribunal opposed to the match taking place there and got a stay order on it. The club resolved the matter by deciding to move the match to the Barasat Stadium.

The Green Tribunal, which is concerned about the impact evening matches with floodlights at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium may have on the flock of birds that live at the adjacent lake, also opposed Atletico de Kolkata's use of the state government-owned stadium for their ISL 2016 campaign. But they came to an agreement and let the private tournament take place as planned.

But ahead of the commencement of the I-League, Mohun Bagan, who were using the same stadium as their home ground, got their permission from the state government but did not clear the matter with the Green Tribunal. In response, the environmental group moved to court this morning and got a stay order on the match.

In a haste to get the season-opening fixture out of jeopardy, Bagan officials sought an immediate hearing to clear things up. But after some deliberations, the judge ruled in favour of the Green Tribunal and Mohun Bagan were denied the permission to play there on Sunday, forcing the match to be moved to the alternate venue chosen by the Mariners, the Barasat Stadium.

Mohun Bagan may still hold their future home matches at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, but they will have to gain the required clearances from the Green Tribunal in time to make that happen.