XtraTime Web Desk: I League winning Mohun Bagan footballers got the first installment of their dues from the club on Tuesday. The Bagan officials kept their commitment by paying off the first installment to the footballers before the June 30 deadline, well in advance. According to the finance secretary of the 130 year old club, Debashish Dutta,”The entire dues will be cleared next month by July 20. There will be no pay cuts. The players will be paid as per their contract with the club. We are also in touch with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to release the prize money of I League. The amount will be shared between the players and support staffs.”
He further added, “Mohun Bagan has always been supportive towards their footballers. It has been the tradition of the club to keep its commitment towards players. There are few people who constantly try to malign the club. The same people were spreading rumours that the club might cut the players’ salaries.”
There have been instances of players from other clubs as well who are not getting their pending salaries. The primary reason was the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has been the case with a few other I League clubs, including Mohun Bagn’s arch rivals East Bengal. As many as 350 footballers have their salaries dues from their respective clubs from last season.
According to Bagan finance secretary, “It is extremely sad and unfortunate that such a situation has arose. Mohun Bagan club has once again proved why they are the national club of the country. The need of the hour for every club is to be by the side of their players during COVID-19. It is the footballers who bring glory to the clubs. So, they cannot be deprived.”