Two-time IPL winners Kolkata Knight Riders stated on Monday that it has nothing to do with the group administration on the Eden Gardens, days after a number of stories emerged concerning followers being denied entry over carrying iconic soccer facet Mohun Bagan`s t-shirts.
“There are some misleading reports that are floating around that KKR management had stopped some fans from entering Eden Gardens during the KKR vs LSG IPL game on May 20.”
“For the record, KKR management has nothing to do with crowd management at the stadium. We understand some ambush marketing was attempted by some vested interests, which as per IPL league policy was promptly stopped by the IPL league Anti -Ambush Marketing team.” (Watch: Mumbai Indians Players Jumping In Joy After RCB Get Knocked Out Of IPL 2023)
“KKR is grateful for the great relationship with all its fans in Kolkata and for making every game at Eden Gardens a full house! It has among the largest fan bases of any franchise and would never disrespect anyone,” stated the franchise in an official assertion.
#KKR Official Statement pic.twitter.com/QEwLHa6Nry
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 22, 2023
For Saturday`s match on the Eden Gardens, Lucknow Super Giants had worn jerseys with colors of the Mohun Bagan staff in its match in opposition to Kolkata Knight Riders to honour the legacy of the Kolkata-based soccer membership, who’re additionally the defending champions of the Indian Super League (ISL). Incidentally, each groups are owned by the RP Sanjiv Goenka Group. (‘Let’s Leave It…’, LSG Message After RCB’s Heartbreaking Exit From IPL 2023)
But a number of stories got here out alleging that followers have been denied entries into the stadium as their t-shirts and jerseys carried the century-old Mohun Bagan staff brand on them, which invited enormous criticism from membership secretary Debashis Dutta on Sunday.
“It was a special match for the supporters of Mohun Bagan because LSG was wearing a new Green and Maroon jersey. But the KKR management curtailed the freedom of the Mohun Bagan supporters (who are also fans of KKR and LSG) by not allowing them to enter the stadium as they were wearing the jersey of Mohun Bagan.”
“Since 1990, I have been watching FIFA World Cup matches by travelling to different parts of the world by wearing our National Club i.e, Mohun Bagan`s jersey and I have never been stopped anywhere. It is an individual`s right to support and wear the jersey of the team which he/she loves and supports.”
“No one has the right to interfere in one`s own choice. Mohun Bagan Athletic Club strongly condemns this decision of KKR management for disrespecting the National Club of India and hurting the sentiment of our supporters,” wrote Dutta in his assertion.
Coming to the match, Lucknow beat Kolkata in an exciting match by a solitary run to qualify for the playoffs. They will now play within the eliminator in opposition to five-time winners Mumbai Indians on the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday.
