RCB players to wear jersey number ‘11’ in memory of lives lost in the stampede

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) players will wear jersey number ’11’ in memory of the lives lost in the stampede during the team’s IPL title-winning celebrations here last year.

“In memory of the 11 fans we lost, the players will wear jersey number ’11’ during practice sessions on match days, and black armbands,” RCB CEO Rajesh Menon said in a press conference here on Tuesday.

The franchise will also leave 11 seats empty during RCB’s matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as a “tribute to the fans who will always remain a part of our journey”.

Unbox event

The RCB ‘Unbox’ event, a pre-season fan event, will not be held this year. “We have decided not to host the ‘Unbox’ event as our primary focus has been on ensuring that everything inside the stadium is executed flawlessly,” Mr. Rajesh said.

He added that RCB has invested approximately “₹7 crore towards enhancing crowd management infrastructure, including multiple baggage scanners and command centres.”

Mr. Rajesh stated that RCB did not make any public statements to address the stampede, or hold any press conference, because the “matter was sub judice”.

Internal inquiry?

He stonewalled questions on whether the franchise conducted an internal enquiry into the events that led to the 11 deaths.

“Four agencies are working on the case. We have been very cooperative with all the agencies. Now it is in the High Court, where the charge sheet needs to be filed. We’ll see what is there in the charge sheet. I don’t know what’s in the charge sheet,” Mr. Rajesh said.