East Bengal announce Kalyani Stadium as home venue for I-League

Apart from the Kolkata Derby, the Red and Gold will play all their other home games at the venue.

Last season's I-League runners-up, East Bengal FC have announced Kalyani Stadium as their home ground for the upcoming  campaign. Thus, only the Kolkata Derby clash between them and arch-rivals Mohun Bagan will be held at the Salt Lake Stadium.

The Red and Gold were supposed to begin their I-League campaign against Real Kashmir on December 3. However, the opening match has now been shifted to December 4.

The announcement by the club also stated their interest in hosting their opening game at the East Bengal Ground, to commemorate their centenary celebrations. However, following consultations, head coach Alejandro Menendez Garcia and the club officials have decided to shelve the idea.

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"The proposal to host the first QEBFC home match, as a part of the centenary celebrations, at the East Bengal Ground, was duly considered by the owners of QEBFC and necessary arrangements for organizing he same were proceeded upon by the QEBFC management. However, after subsequent discussions between the head coach and East Bengal officials, it was mutually decided to relocate the matches to any other ground," the announcement stated.

When the probable fixtures came out, it was indicated that East Bengal were to play their home games at the Salt Lake Stadium. However, a conflict with the ground authorities forced them to shift the matches elsewhere.

"The mandatory terms and conditions which were given by VYBK authorities to QEBFC to host its home matches at VYBK were conflicting with AIFF rules and regulations," East Bengal said in the statement.

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The Red and Gold had several fixtures with a 7 PM kickoff, but now the club have requested the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to shift them to the 5 PM time slot, for convenience.

Earlier, East Bengal's city rivals, Mohun Bagan had also announced Kalyani Stadium as their home ground for the campaign. The Mariners will feature in the I-League curtain-raiser this season on November 30, when they face Aizawl FC away from home.

East Bengal will begin their I-League campaign on December 4 when they host Real Kashmir.