Kolkata: Before meeting the AIFF President Praful Patel and Kushal Das, the East Bengal executive committee members discussed among themselves about the team’s fate in the upcoming ISL merger. The East Bengal committee decided that they are unwilling to pay the Rs.15CR franchisee fee for the participation. As per the rules of ISL of one city representing one team, they are willing to register East Bengal for either Siliguri or from Kalyani. However, they would like their venue to be Yuva Bharati Krirangan or Rabindra Sarobar Stadium.
They have also stated for example that both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have played in Siliguri as their home grounds.
Selection of the foreigners has also been the topic of discussion. In ISL a 6 foreigners are to be played, so the selection of rest of the foreigners would be done by their quality.
“If Aizawl FC can become champions by being a low budget team then why can’t we” said Asst Secretary Dr. Shanti Ranjan Dasgupta. He also added that Aizawl FC are strong contenders to play the ISL.
It has been decided that a three member representative committee representing Red and Gold brigade would comprise of Dr. Shanti Ranjan Dasgupta, Pranab Dasgupta and Debabrata Sarkar.
They would first speak with Kushal Das and then later approach Praful Patel on 6th May in Mumbai. Apart from these, the advisory committee discussed about the upcoming Fed Cup.
A minute of silence was observed before the meeting as a regard to Shanto Mitra.