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XtraTime Web Desk: Kolkata giants East Bengal club’s secretary Kalyan Majumdar on Thursday said the club cannot follow the path adopted by arch rivals Mohun Bagan to play in the Indian Super League (ISL). According to Majumdar, “I don’t think just because another team is playing the ISL, East Bengal also needs to play in the same league. Everything may not happen to supporters wish. Mohun Bagan sold them in order to play in the ISL. East Bengal club will never ever think of taking such a step.”

Reigning I league winners Mohun Bagan have merged with ISL champions ATK, as they will play as an entity from 2020-21 season. East Bengal fans have obvious question, whether or not they will see their favourite club featuring in the top tier league of the country.

The Kolkata based club is also engulfed with an ongoing tussle with its previous sponsors Quess. The Bangalore based firm is yet to surrender its sporting rights to East Bengal, leaving the club in a precarious situation. The club cannot complete the formalities required by the Federation in fulfilling the club licensing criteria required by AFC. The club secretary did not want to comment on the issue though.

Until the sporting rights are transferred by Quess, the club’s contract with the new players for this season will stand void. East Bengal has signed as many as 20 new players ahead of the 2020-21 football season. The contracts of Balwant, Chullova, Eugeneson with East Bengal club cannot be deemed official as the footballers were all signed on the letter head of the club which cannot be not accepted by AIFF.

Speaking on the issue, Kalyan Majumdar said, “If the contract is not valid, let them (newly contracted footballers) file a case. Where is the problem?”