Sunday's I-League derby set to play without spectators

Kolkata: The I-League Kolkata derby between champions Mohun Bagan and East Bengal on Sunday is set to be played in front of an empty stadium after the city police issued a directive not to sale tickets for the match in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

Joint Commissioner of Police, Bidhannagar wrote a letter to East Bengal ground secretary Dipankar Chakraborty not to sell tickets for the match to be played at the Salt Lake Stadium.

"This is to inform you that in view of the Coronavirus pandemic, you are requested to ensure that no public gathering takes place in the I-League home matches for the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan on 15th March 2020," the letter said.

"You are therefore requested to ensure that no sale of tickets is there for the match," it said.

East Bengal is the home team for the second leg Kolkata derby of this season. Mohun Bagan had won the first leg 2-1 at the same Salt Lake Stadium on January 19.

The AIFF also indicated that all the remaining 28 matches of the I-League, including Sunday's marquee Kolkata derby, could be played in empty stadiums owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The AIFF, however, said it will hold a meeting with the I-League clubs on Friday before announcing a final decision.