XtraTime Web Desk: Kolkata giants East Bengal club finds themselves in a weird situation as they face a new identity crisis. Having transferred all sporting rights to erstwhile investors Quess Corp, the club can find themselves being denied to play in any of the two leagues of the country viz., the Indian Super League (ISL) and I League. The Kolkata based club has to register the name they want to play in the I League or ISL with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the last date for which is July 15 to September 30.
According to AIFF secretary Kushal Das, “We will start the registration procedures of the clubs from July 15 in order to comply with the AFC club licensing criteria. We will finish off the proceedings by September.”
East Bengal is yet to obtain the NOC (No Objection Certificate) from Quess. This is the reason the club officials cannot start the proceedings. Although the Red and Gold officials still have time in their hand. But they have to finish off all the paper works by the September 30 deadline. Else the club may get into trouble.
Solicitors from both Quess and East Bengal are working on for an amicable settlement. East Bengal has already informed the Federation that Quess are no longer with them. They have released all the footballers and coaches from last season. In order to start the procedure for club licensing, NOC from Quess is a must.
“The last date for fresh bidding ended on Friday. The bid papers submitted by various clubs will only be opened after a month or so. Till now the Federation is looking at organizing the forthcoming I League with 11 clubs. The maximum we can stretch it to is 12 teams,” said Kushal Das.
East Bengal does feature among the 11 I league teams as of now.