Kolkata: Former East Bengal winger Abhinash Ruidas has finally been handed a, ‘No Objection Certificate’ by the club and IFA which now means that he is free to participate in the upcoming edition of the Indian Super League for Mumbai City FC.
Ruidas had initially signed a two-year contract with East Bengal in 2015 and according to Xtratime, he had expressed his willingness to play in the ISL, but the Kolkata heavyweights stood their ground in saying that he was contracted for the 2017-2018 season as well.
The Budge Budge lad in retaliation had said that he was made to sign a blank paper while penning down his contract for two years and the club had manipulated and forged his signatures afterwards.
But all the problems have seemed to come to an end as after the AIFF’s intervention,
East Bengal has decided to let Ruidas participate for Mumbai City FC in the ISL.
Also the chances of Ruidas getting punished for disciplinary reasons have been put to rest as IFA secretary confirmed this entire problem as a, ‘dead issue.’
AIFF Secretary Kushal Das, when asked about this matter, said, “I am thankful to the East Bengal officials and IFA Secretary Utpal Ganguly as they have given Abinash to play football, as it is not good to snatch football away from a footballer.”
Earlier, the AIFF had put up a six member committee to look into Ruidas’ contract situation. They had confirmed saying, “..we have not found any conclusive evidence which proves Ruidas is contracted to East Bengal till 2018-19 season. His last contract was valid till the 2016-17 season with East Bengal. So he is now free to play for a club of his choice.”
Interestingly, East Bengal decided to let go of this issue without putting much effort. This might have happened because of the fact that they had it in their knowledge that this awkward contract situation involving Ruidas wasn’t in their favour right from the beginning.
Mohammedan Sporting willing to participate in the I-League
Kolkata club Mohammedan Sporting has been sending a lot of mails to the AIFF to allow them to participate in the I-League. The club now plays in the second division league in Indian football.
Kushal Das spoke on this and said, “There is a proper bidding process to take part in the I-League. We cannot break any rule for any particular club.”