Xtra Time Web Desk: Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan find themselves in completely different situations with respect to player’s payment. While the Red and Gold player’s are justified to express their anger at not having their pending salaries cleared for last two months as the erstwhile investors Quess have terminated its contract with the club. The Green and Maroon footballers too have not been paid due to the lockdown because of coronavirus pandemic. But much to relief of their players, the Bagan officials have decided to clear their dues soon. True to their words the Green and Maroon officials have decided to clear all the outstanding of the contracted players from last season. Top two Bagan officials, club secretary Srinjoy Bose and finance secretary Debashish Datta have messaged all the players that their dues will be cleared in two instalments. The dates of the payments have also been clearly mentioned in the message.
According to Debashish Datta to Xtra Time, “The prize money for winning the I League will be shared between the footballers within 15 days of receipt of the same. We have been following up with the Federation regarding the prize money for winning the I League.”
He further added, “The investors of the club last season stay in Mumbai and we all know what the situation is now in Maharashtra due to COVID-19. Their offices are also closed. We have already discussed the matter with all the footballers. Indian footballers have three months’ salary pending. Although the salary of Papa Babakar is cleared but few other foreign players have two months’ salary due. We are glad to know that the problem will soon get sorted. Mumbai office has informed us that the players outstanding salaries will be cleared in two instalments. First instalment will be cleared by June 30 while the second instalment will be paid by July 20. After all it is because of the effort of the players the club has won the I League.”
ATK Mohun Bagan was supposed to officially start their journey from June 01. But due to the lockdown situation the board meeting cannot take place. There have been misleading reports about the jersey colour, ,logo in a section of the media. The Bagan finance secretary does not want to pay too much attention to such rumours. According to Debashish, “Those who are spreading such rumours are making them a laughing stock. According to the contract with ATK, the rich heritage of Mohun Bagan will always be respected. Whatever is be decided it will be in keeping with the interest of the century old club.”
It was also reported that former I League winning Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen can make a return to his former club for the Kolkata league. He will have Ranjan Chowdhury as his assistant. Mohun Bagan finance secretary is not too concerned with such reports. “The new board members have not met so how does this news evolve. This are all baseless news,” signs off Debashish Datta.