Five instances of crowd violence in Indian football

Kolkata’s passionate football fans have been the centre of multiple crowd violence instances.

Indian football has grown significantly over the years. Currently, the Indian Super League (ISL) is one of the most-watched football leagues in the world. However, there have been a few forgettable days that have been marred by crowd violence and riots. These instances have left a black mark in the history of football in our country.

Here are five major instances when Indian football was affected by crowd violence:

East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan – CFL 1980

The Kolkata Derby is always one of the biggest nights in the Indian football calendar. However, on 16th August 1980, it turned into one of the darkest days as 16 supporters died due to stampede and riot inside the Eden Gardens Stadium, that was hosting the game.

The Calcutta Football League (CFL) match had ended in a goalless draw and the disappointed supporters of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal clashed after the game, which resulted in massive chaos. Owing to this, 16th August is now considered as Football Lover’s Day in Kolkata. 

East Bengal vs Mohammedan Sporting Club – IFA Shield 1990

The IFA Shield Final in 1990 saw crowd violence in the game as East Bengal took a 1-0 lead. The tension peaked as the Mohammedan SC players walked out after they were irked by a referee decision that gave their opponents the lead. 

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Eventually, Mohammedan SC didn’t return to the field and East Bengal were crowned the champions of the 1990 IFA Shield. 

Salgaocar FC vs Air India – National Football League 1997

The 23rd of February 1997 is considered a black day in Goan football as spectators invaded the pitch at the Fatorda Stadium. Eight Air India players were thrashed out of which six needed treatment owing to the incident. 

The visitors took a 1-0 lead in the 83rd minute and this was followed by red cards to Salgaocar’s Uday Konar and Air India’s PJ Jose that sparked the controversy. Some spectators were reportedly armed with wooden sticks as they ran onto the field and began to assault Air India players as the match was called off.

Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal – I League 2012

On 9th December 2012, the Kolkata Derby was marred by controversy once again as Mohun Bagan didn’t return to the pitch in the second half. The initial fracas occurred in the closing minutes of the first half as East Bengal took the lead through Harmanjot Khabra in the I-League game. 

Crowd tension escalated as Bagan’s Odafa Okolie was shown a red card, following which a missile from the crowd hit Mohun Bagan’s Syed Rahim Nabi in the head. The player had to be hospitalized and the police had to lathi-charge the fans as tension peaked inside the stadium. 

Mohammedan SC vs Kerala Blasters – ISL 2024-25

For the first time in the Indian Super League, crowd violence erupted in the competition on 20th October 2024. Mohammedan SC supporters were unhappy as they were not awarded a penalty in the second half and things boiled over after Kerala Blasters took a 2-1 lead at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan Stadium. 

Objects were thrown towards the pitch and away supporters with the referee bringing the game to a stop for a few minutes. The Mohammedan SC fans reportedly even hurled bottles filled with urine and local pyrotechnics at the pitch and the traveling Tuskers fans’ section to show their displeasure. Things eventually calmed down and the game and the players returned to complete the match.

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