Kolkata: Amidst all the confusion and uncertainty over the participation of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in this year’s edition of the Indian Super League (ISL), the Kolkata clubs have finally decided to attend the AFC meeting for stakeholders in Kuala Lumpur on June 7.
Last Saturday, both these clubs after a meeting with the Kolkata based body IFA said that they would create disruptions in the proceedings in the ISL if kept away from the scheme of things. They had also threatened to boycott the meeting saying that stakeholders had no business in the meeting to decide the way ahead for Indian football.
East Bengal Assistant Secretary Shanti Ranjan Dasgupta in an interaction with Xtratime.in said, “We have applied for the visa to go Kuala Lumpur. Mohun Bagan too are applying for it. We have decided to go there.”
Both the Kolkata clubs haven’t yet submitted the papers for the ISL bid. They are hell-bent on not paying the franchise fee and are also adamant on playing all their matches in Kolkata.
I-League champions Aizawl FC on the other hand is sure to be present at the meeting confirmed President Robert Royte.
“I am planning to go there. Both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan may boycott the meeting, but Aizawl FC is very much going to be present there” said Royte.
He called for all the I-League clubs to a be united and further stated that justice should be served to all the I-League clubs.
“I want all I-league clubs to get united. Everyone should be given proper justice in the proposed merger” he said.
Things are surely not going in the right direction for Indian football as it is the question of the existence of two of it’s most historically rich and significant clubs. As of now, let’s just sit back and hope that every goes well.
(With inputs from Xtratime)