Suman Chakravorty: It was Ranjit Bajaj, who first protested against East Bengal’s illegal way to sign Sukhdev Singh from Minerva Punjab. The AIFF found the Kolkata club guilty and initially banned them from one transfer window. But the tribulations of the fans is over now as the transfer ban on the club has now been uplifted. Hence, www.xtratime.in spoke to Ranjit Bajaj to get his reactions. Here goes the conversation:
XT: East Bengal’s ban is finally uplifted in the expense of a fine. Your take?
Bajaj: This was meant to happen. It’s not I didn’t expect it, but at least a message has been successfully given, that you have to pay at least Rs.7 lakh as fine, if you do such illegal things in future.
XT: It has been a much talked about thing in Indian football. How do you see this saga?
Bajaj: Well, at least I am successful in throwing out one poison from Indian football after that – Alvito D’cunha. The new Spanish coach too knows how big a threat he is for the club. He is one of the major reasons why the club had to suffer for 15 years for an I-League title. I want to see Indian football to be clean and safe. Alvito’s current status, thus is a justice.
XT: Are you happy with the punishment?
Bajaj: I am not not against the club, trust me. I love the passion from their fans. It’s amazing, hope they will end up winning the league this season with this professional structure. My best wishes are with them. It will be a huge thing in Indian football. But the frustrating fact is that, without doing anything they fined me with 10 lakh, but after doing such a shameful act by Alvito and his men, the club was charged only Rs.7 lakh. But I’m happy that at least a message has been given to all the other clubs as well. It was needed.