Fan unfriendly: Hooliganism has started to engulf derby matches and threaten spectator safety

Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s record 17th Durand Cup title win was overshadowed by reports on social media of alleged violence and hooliganism.

Sep 7, 2023 - 09:30

Fan unfriendly: Hooliganism has started to engulf derby matches and threaten spectator safety

This article originally appeared in The Field’s newsletter, Game Points, on September 6, 2023. Sign up here to get the newsletter directly delivered to your inbox every week.

The Kolkata derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC is by far one of the fiercest and oldest rivalries in sports. On Sunday, at the Salt Lake Stadium, the 391st edition of that 102-year-old derby commenced as the teams met in the Durand Cup final.

Mohun Bagan won a record 17th title in what was a rather sedate on-field battle. But the win was overshadowed by reports on social media of alleged violence and hooliganism across the city after the match.

It’s uncertain how widespread or violent the incidents were on Sunday, but such clashes between the rival fans are not uncommon during or after a Kolkata derby.

In 2019, an Under-19 match between the teams was called off due to violence in the stands. In 2012, an I-League match between the teams left 40 people injured, including 20 policemen. Mohun Bagan player Syed Rahim Nabi was also hit in the face by a brick thrown from the stands.

Grim memories still exist of a derby in 1980, when 16 fans died in a stampede.

Surely, beefing up security for a game is not the only way – each derby has a battalion of police...