Mohun Bagan follow the footsteps of East Bengal, decides to pick ISL bid documents

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Mohun Bagan will pick the ISL bid documents tomorrow. File Pic

Kolkata: After much drama for the last few days, Kolkata football giants Mohun Bagan club has decided to pick ISL “Invitation of Bids” documents on Wednesday. The club officials after a meeting among themselves decided to follow the footsteps of arch rivals East Bengal who picked the bid documents last Wednesday.

There has been enough drama unfolding over the last few days with top officials of both clubs meeting the State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Nabanna on Tuesday. The Chief Minister suggested both clubs not to wilt under any sort of pressure from IMG-R. The chief minister also made it clear to both clubs that they should jointly take any decision for the betterment of Indian football. She also said that her government will take all possible steps to ensure that their interest is looked after as they has been the flag bearers for Indian football over the years.

According to club secretary Anjan Mitra, “We met the Sports Minister and theb honorable Chief Minister. We sought her help as we felt that Bengal football is in danger. All three clubs – East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Md Sporting went to the chief minister. After hearing us, she urged not to bow down to any sort of pressure. She has also assured of being by the side of us in any move that we take for the betterment of Indian football.”

Mr Mitra further added, “We basically had two demands – we will not pay the franchisee fee of Rs 15 crore, secondly we wanted all our matches to take place in Kolkata. We are immensly grateful to our chief minister for lending her unconditional support.”

On being asked whether they well go all out against their fight with IMG-R, the Mohun Bagan secretary immediately reacted by saying, “Our fight is not with IMG-R but against the parent body i.e., All India Football Federation. There will corporates like IMG-R alluring the football clubs to join them. But it is the responsibility of the AIFF to ensure everyone’s interest is looked after. So, our fight basically is with AIFF.”

Mohun Bagan secretary also admitted that the club is willing to play it’s matches in places like Durgapur, Siliguri provided they also get an opportunity to play in Kolkata. Both the parties need to be considerate.

There has been proposals to have a parallel league with ISL. Mohun Bagan secretary Anjan Mitra has no problem having such a parallel league if there is no solution.

Lastly the Mohun Bagan secretary also confirmed that the club will pick the “Inivitation to bid” documents tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Indian Super League franchises can likely to sign a maximum of eight foreign footballers in their squad and a maximum of four-five in the playing eleven from next season, if the league gets The AFC affiliation.