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Xtra Time Web Desk: Kolkata giants East Bengal has found themselves in a precarious situation with Quess yet to transfer the sporting rights to the club. The club officials have been claiming that they have already signed at least 20 new players for the forthcoming season. But Xtra Time can confirm that the contract between the footballers and the club stands void as the players have signed on the letter head of the club which cannot be deemed as contract papers. In normal circumstance whenever a player signs for a club, he is immediately sent the contract papers duly signed by both parties. In this case, the club is yet to sign the contract on their part and send it back to the players.

Obviously the likes of Balwant Singh, Bikash Jairu, Eugeneson Lyngdoh are a bit concerned. Talking to their agents, most of them do not seem to press the panic button at the moment. Instead they want to wait and watch the proceedings till end of June before deciding on future course of action.

According to an agent who on condition of anonymity said, “We are not aware of the status. The club officials are telling the issue will be sorted out soon. If the contract is not valid then the players can leave anytime. The contract between the club and the players will be deemed null and void if the club doesn’t own the sporting rights from Quess. See there is time as the I League will not start before October-November. We can wait till end of June. The players though will be a bit concerned with the current situation.”

Talking to another agent, who also do not wish his name not to be disclosed said, “Yes everyone would prefer to see East Bengal playing in the ISL. If it is not the case then the players will decide on the future course of action. It is impossible to strike off East Bengal from Indian football. The situation right now is not alarming as there is still time. If the contract is not valid then the players will be free to sign anywhere. Everyone has some offers. Normally with ISL clubs, the player’s salary starts from August.”

He added, “See in this situation the problem is between Quess and East Bengal. I am absolutely sure that East Bengal will arrive at a solution soon as they are a big club.”

The players the Red and Golds have signed this summer are Milan Singh, Mohammed Rafique, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Rino Anto, CK Vineeth, Vikas Saini, Pritam Singh, Anil Chavan, Girik Khosla, Sankar Roy, Keegan Pereira, Mohammed Irshad, Bikash Jairu, Cavin Lobo, Sehnaj Singh, Loken Meitei, Rafique Ali Sardar, Angousana Luwang, Gurtej Singh, Novin Gurung, Lalram Chullova, Balwant Singh. They have also retained the services of goalkeeper Mirshad Michu.

East Bengal officials are tight lipped on the issue. According to the club's de facto chief Debabrata Sarkar, "I don't want to comment anything on the matter now. Everyone will get to know everything in due course."