IFA Premier Division B match abandoned after monkeys invade ground

The match between United Sc and Railway will see a replay after being called off due to a langur invasion

The IFA league, Premier Division B match between United SC and Railway FC had some unexpected visitors, as four langurs invaded the ground and attacked the officials. The match had to be called off as the langurs occupied the field at the Khardah stadium in Kolkata’s northern suburb, 20 kms from the city centre.

Going by the majeure clause, the IFA has decided to replay the match, which was then tied at 1-1, in Kalyani on teusday. A similar incident took place last year, when United SC’s Biswajit Sardar was bitten by a monkey, in an under-19 I-League match, which kept him out of the game for three months

The match could not start at the scheduled kick off time, which was 2.15 pm, as the langurs sneaked in a little after the 2pm mark. They were chased out of the stadium by the officials and the ground stuff, but not before a time period of half and hour or so. United SC found themselves a goal down soon after the kick off. United SC managed to equilize the match but the langurs returned.

“No one was hurt but they chased the match officials; maybe they were unhappy with the supervision,” said one of the clubs’ official in jest. It led to the match being abandoned.

According to United SC director Siddhartha Bhattacharya, the monkey attack on a United SC player last year made the call the match off, as they did not want to take a chance.

The IFA league, Premier Division B has the teams George Telegraph, FCI, United SC, Dalhousie SC, Railway SC, Pathachakra, Bhawanipore Club, Calcutta Port Trust, Peerless SC and the Kalighat Club.

Meanwhile in other matches, Eastern Railway thumped Calcutta Port Trust 3-0 in Kakinara. Pathachakra emerged victorious, defeating Dalhousie 2-0 in Barasat. Lalmohon Hasda and Subhojit Das of Pathachakra bagged a goal each in their win. FCI lost to Peerless by a goal in the KEB ground.

The Kalighat team was withdrawn after 7th match. George Telegraph edged passed Cacutta Port Trust a day before by 2 goals to 1, as Sabit and Sumit Oraw scored for the winning side.

United SC went into the match against Railway with the momentum not on their side as they went down 1-0 to Bhowanipore in their last fixture.