lsilogolaunch281014 Kolkata: The meeting between Kolkata giants East Bengal & Mohun Bagan with AIFF secretary Kushal Das turned out to be a damp squib on Monday as no decision was reached. Representatives from both clubs met the Federation secretary to discuss the ensuing issues regarding their participation in the Indian Super League (ISL). East Bengal club’s top official Debabrata Sarkar was accompanied by club’s assistant secretary Dr Shanti Ranjan Dasgupta while Mohun Bagan was represented by club’s assistant secretary Srinjoy Bose and finance secretary Debasish Dutta. The meeting took place at the Football House in Delhi. According to sources, both the clubs wanted the last date of the submission of bids to be extended a little longer. Earlier, the last date for submission of bid papers was on May 24. Representatives of both the clubs along with IFA will meet the State Sports Minister Aroop Biswas tomorrow at the Netaji Indoor Stadium to discuss on certain issues and decide on the future course of action. Later after the meeting there will be a joint media briefing at the same venue. Executive committee members of Mohun Bagan club are also supposed to meet tomorrow at the club. The big two clubs gave the AIFF secretary quite a few proposals – one among them was to have a single league. Both the clubs were of the view that Football Sports Development Limited, the ISL organizers shouldn’t take any hasty decision which could be against the interest of Indian football. The two clubs also made it clear to Mr. Das that the State sports minister and Chief Minister want the AIFF to look at the interest of the Kolkata clubs. According to Mr Shanti Ranjan Dasgupta, “We want the AIFF to look at the interest of both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. We have put forward our request to have a single league and to look at every one’s interest.” He also added, “The AIFF secretary has assured us that he will be taking the matter to Mr Praful Patel.” Mohun Bagan finance secretary Debasis Dutta made it clear that they will not pick the bid form until unless both parties reach a consensus. "Until and unless we get a clear picture we are not going to spend even Rs 5. We are not at all bothered to pick the bid form before May 25," said Dutta. On being asked about about the possible solution, Mr Dutta said," Even the constitution of our country is amended as many as 56 times. I don't see any reason why the league organisers cannot modify the clauses." The Kolkata giants are still sticking with their earlier decision to not pay the franshise fee of 15 crore along with their willingness to play their matches in Kolkata. Football Sports Development Limited, the ISL organizers had already floated the tender through ‘Invitation to Bid’ on May 12. The last day for submission of bids from prospective team owners in 10 cities — Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Cuttack, Durgapur, Hyderabad, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Ranchi, Siliguri and Thiruvananthapuram – is May 24. Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are yet to decide on their participation in the ISL. Although East Bengal has picked the bid documents, Mohun Bagan is yet to decide on their next course of action.

Sports Minister Aroop Biswas to meet East Bengal, Mohun Bagan officials