Stay Order on Mohun Bagan’s matches in I League at Rabindra Sarobar

Noted environment activist Subhash Dutta has moved the NGT

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Mohun Bagan club president Swapan Sadhan Bose with the footballers at Rabindra Sarobar stadium on Friday. Image Source: Xtra Time

Kolkata: Mohun Bagan’s I League matches at Rabindra Sarobar stadium looks to be under clouds. The Green Tribunal of Kolkata has put a stay order on the I League matches to be played under floodlights at the venue.

Noted environment activist Subhash Dutta has moved the National Green Tribunal alleging that the matches to be held at Rabindra Sarobar Stadium could disturb nearby eco-sensitive zone which includes a large lake—home to diverse flora and fauna and protected under the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems.

Mohun Bagan is scheduled to play most of their their home matches in I League at Rabindra Sarobar. The Green and Maroon footballers trained at the venue in the morning. The club President Swapan Sadhan Bose was present during the practice with other top officials of the club. Later there was an inspection by the Kolkata Police as well after the practice.

According to environmentalist Mudar Patharia, “The court has earlier passed an order and a guideline for all the floodlight games at the Rabindra Sarobar. Atletico de Kolkata had followed the guidelines and was therefore allowed to play their matches at the venue. Similarly, all teams including Mohun Bagan will also have to follow the guidelines.”

He further added, “The Mohun Bagan club officials should have followed the guidelines to host their matches at the Rabindra Sarobar.”

If the match is not organized at a particular venue, the home team will be penalized 3 points and will concede 3 goals, as per the rules of the I League. In that case Mohun Bagan will face such action. But the good thing for Bagan officials is that they have also showed Barasat stadium as their second home venue. So, they can request the AIFF to shift their home match to Barasat. The officials are hopeful about obtaining the necessary permission to host the match.