Sporting threaten to withdraw from Fed Cup final

Claiming two fans were killed in police lathi-charge, Mohammedan Sporting threatened to withdraw from the August 9 Tata Federation Cup football final, at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata, if the authorities fail to take measures to ensure the safety of their supporters.

Sporting ground secretary Iqbal Ahmed alleged that two supporters were killed and several others seriously injured after police lathi-charged spectators at the Salt Lake stadium during Tuesday's semi-final against city rivals Mohun Bagan.

Sporting won the match 5-4 via the tie-breaker.

"Top officials of the club met at the tent on Wednesday morning and convened an emergency executive committee meeting on Thursday to decide about playing the final," Ahmed informed on Wednesday.

The club will write to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee, Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborty and Director General of Police Dinesh Vajpai, demanding security for their fans, he said.

Inspector General (Law and Order) Chayan Mukherjee, however, said there was neither a lathi-charge yesterday nor was anyone killed as claimed by the club.

Mukherjee said one person, identified as Maqsood Alam, was killed outside gate number four of the stadium when he was hit by a speeding vehicle.

The IGP said the police had only removed some supporters from the gallery after they hurled brickbats and bottles to the ground, incensed over the red card shown to Sporting defender Habib Adekunle.

Ahmed, however, said another person, identified as Shamshuzzaman, was also killed following the lathi-charge. He said both were declared dead at the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital in the early hours of Wednesday.

"Our supporters were mercilessly beaten up by the police without provocation. How can we play when our fans are being treated like animals?" he asked.

The club footballers observed a minute's silence in memory of the two victims during this morning's practice session.