Thousands of Mohun Bagan fans flout physical distancing norms to gather in Kolkata as club gets I-League trophy

Image: Twitter/@Mohun_Bagan

Mohun Bagan were officially crowned the I-League champions for the 2019-20 season on October 18. The formal ceremony to handover the trophy had been delayed by around seven months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The club had won the tournament with four rounds to spare before the nationwide lockdown started.

The moment was also significant for Mohun Bagan’s fans as it has left the league to merge with ATK and join the Indian Super League (ISL). The function on October 18 was seen as a reunion of former Mohun Bagan players who received the trophy along with club officials.

The club, founded in 1889, was also congratulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Congratulations to the players, staff and fans of the illustrious @Mohun_Bagan for emerging as @ILeagueOfficial Champions! Indeed, a joyful occasion. #Champion5”.

Mohun Bagan took the trophy on a 14-kilometre tour from the event venue to the club’s official address in Kolkata, with thousands of fans lining up the streets. All of this, of course, came amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

This led to a situation where celebrating fans were not adhering to COVID-related safety norms such as physical distancing. Video footage posted on social media also showed some fans not wearing face masks. West Bengal has so far reported 3.2 lakh cases of COVID-19, including over 6,000 deaths.

#TrophyTour #JoyMohunBagan #Champion5 #Mariners live from the rally pic.twitter.com/YsKrHsb9v9

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— Mohun Bagan (@Mohun_Bagan) October 18, 2020

This is that famous festive football frenzy of Kolkata I like the most about!
Heartiest congratulations to @Mohun_Bagan for becoming @ILeagueOfficial Champions.
My best wishes for the upcoming @IndSuperLeague season as @atkmohunbaganfc https://t.co/oQaHgVQRYy

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) October 18, 2020

In the evening, many of Kolkata’s landmarks including the Howrah bridge, were lit up in the club’s official colours – maroon and green.

Crazy scenes at Kolkata on the ocassion of Mohun Bagan's I League winning celebration.

Are we living in a pandemic situation? #IFTWC #IndianFootball #Mohunbagan #Ileague pic.twitter.com/Bhix7J6424

— Indian Football Team for World Cup (@IFTWC) October 18, 2020

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