East Bengal condemn racial acts performed against NorthEast United fans

East Bengal defeated NorthEast United to reach the Durand Cup 2023 final.

East Bengal have issued an official statement in response to the alleged remarks of racism that surfaced during the Durand Cup semi-final match held on August 29 between East Bengal and NorthEast United FC at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan. The club expressed its concern over the reported incident and reiterated its commitment to promoting inclusivity, diversity, and respect within the sport.

The Durand Cup, one of the oldest and most prestigious football tournaments in India, took an unfortunate turn during the semi-final clash. Reports emerged of alleged racially insensitive comments made during the match, raising concerns about the need for maintaining a fair and respectful environment on and off the field.

In their statement, East Bengal FC addressed and condemned racist remarks. The statement read, “East Bengal FC condemns all forms of racism. There is no room for discrimination in football, a sport which unites people.” 

NorthEast United FC also put out a statement condemning the unfortunate and shameful incident. The alleged incident has sparked conversations about the need for continued efforts to combat racism and discrimination within football. It serves as a reminder that while the sport has the power to unite people from different backgrounds, it is imperative to remain vigilant in eradicating any behaviour that tarnishes the spirit of the game.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of All India Football Federation (AIFF), Shaji Prabhakaran took a firm stance, emphasizing the importance of addressing such issues promptly and decisively. In his statement on Twitter (X) he wrote, “Saddened to read this. We will take up this matter. We have a zero tolerance on this. We have to do everything possible to completely eliminate these kinds of issues from Indian Football.”

After East Bengal put our their statement, the Secretary General tweeted, “This is how we have to deal with this situation and create an encouraging environment for football to prosper in India.”

As investigations into the alleged remarks continue, the AIFF’s unequivocal stance sends a clear message that discriminatory behavior has no place in Indian football. 

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