First leg of Chennayin-Atletico de Kolkata semi-final shifted to Pune
The ISL management has decided to shift the first leg of the second semi-final, between Chennaiyin FC and defending champions Atletico de Kolkata, to the Shiv Chhatrapati Shivaji Stadium in Pune. The decision was taken due to the devastating floods experienced by Chennai, which the city is yet to recover from.
“IMG-Reliance and Star India along with the Chennaiyin FC management conclude to the decision of moving the Club’s home ground to Pune, after evaluating all possibilities for Chennai to host the semi-final match,” said an ISL release.
“The decision was particularly difficult as Chennaiyin FC’s fans have displayed immense passion and fortitude to support their Club through thick and thin this season. But it was one which had to be taken, keeping in mind the current situation in Chennai,” read a press statement released by the ISL committee.
The Marina Arena was scheduled to hold the match on December 12 between Atletico de Kolkata and Chennaiyin, who finished second and third respectively in the league table this season. But the city is yet to recover from the unprecedented heavy rains it has experienced in the past few days, leading to disastrous flooding in the state and a death toll of around 269.
