AFC deemed the venue as unfit to host AFC Cup matches
Kolkata: Mohun Bagan were dealt a fresh blow on Monday when the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) deemed Rabindra Sarobar Stadium unfit to host the AFC Cup matches, sources said.
Bagan take on Colombo FC away for the first leg of their AFC Cup Preliminary round qualifying, with the home fixture slated to take place at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium on February 7.
But AFC in a letter to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) informed that the ground cannot host the AFC Cup matches as it does not have bucket seats.
“They have sent a letter which says Mohun Bagan will not be able to host their AFC Cup matches at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium due to not having bucket seats,” a source in the AIFF said.
According to the Article 9 of AFC infrastructure criteria:The Licence Applicant must have the approval of the entire stadium capacity (individual seats, terraces and total number).
In this case Rabindra Sarobar stadium needs to have 3500 bucket seats, the press conference room and the media centre needs to adjacent and under the same roof.
Bagan have not had it easy zeroing in on the venue with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) raising an objection to hosting matches in the ecologically sensitive area.
After extended parleys which forced the former I-League champions to host their first match at Barasat Stadium within 48 hours’ time, the NGT eastern zone allowed Bagan to play their second game against Shillong Lajong at the floodlit Sarobar Stadium.
Now with AFC objecting on the venue, Bagan will have to look for other options to their AFC Cup games.