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In what was another shameful episode in a city as passionate about sports as Kolkata, the much hyped I-League local derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake stadium) was abandoned on Sunday.
The incident was a second in two days following the Brazil Masters' squad refusal to take the field for their friendly against an All Stars XI on Saturday following the non-payment of the appearance money.
East Bengal led through Harmanjot Khabra's 43rd minute goal before Mohun Bagan refused to come to the field in the second half for security reasons.
The red card awarded to Bagan forward Odafa Okolie just before half time set off a chain of incidents. The crowd got increasingly impatient thereafter and something from the stands hit Syed Rahim Nabi on the face.
Bagan left the field soon after and refused to return.
It was sheer co incidence that the splinter that hit Nabi on the face had come in from the section of the ground which had maximum Bagan supporters.
The sports ministry soon made the announcement that the match had been cancelled.
Sources from the AIFF revealed that Mohun Bagan could be suspended from the I-League this season for the failure to turn up in the second half.