Xtra Time Web Desk: West Bengal Chief Minister Manata Banerjee on Monday assured East Bengal fans that the club will play in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL 2021-22) season. The Red and Gold club has been involved in a tussle with investors Shree Cement over the signing of the final agreements, leaving a big question on their participation in the upcoming ISL.
On the occasion of Sports Day, the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that the issue is getting resolved and the club will be playing in the ISL.
“I want East Bengal to play in ISL. There are talks going on related to the contract (final agreement) and as per information, East Bengal will play in the ISL. Last time, I had to interfere. I had no other option because Mohun Bagan was already in the ISL and I had to make sure another club from West Bengal played there.
She added, “This time too, I will request all parties to negotiate and everything will be okay.”
The Chief Minister also complimented Shree Cement, for coming forward and investing in East Bengal club.
“Taking responsibility for five years is also not a joke. The investor has to spend close to INR 50 crores. Last time we had convinced them to come and invest in the club. The little differences will be solved and I hope very soon the East Bengal fans will have a smile on their faces and the club will play in the ISL.”
Following the departure of erstwhile investors Quess, Shree Cement came on board as the new investor of East Bengal which facilitated the club’s move to the Indian Super League (ISL). Shree Cement next proceeded to establish a joint venture named Shree Cement East Bengal Foundation, in which the cement giants held 76 per cent stakes while the club had 24. Both the parties signed a term sheet in September 2020 in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. But later East Bengal officials pointed out there were discrepancies in the term sheet and final agreement. Shree Cement on the other hand maintained there were no changes in the final agreement.
Meanwhile reacting to the Chief Minister’s comments, East Bengal club official Debabrata (Nitu) Sarkar said, “We played in the ISL last season because of the Chief Minister. Hopefully this season also we will be playing if she wants us. We also want the problem to solve quickly. If she can get both parties on the same table and resolve the issue that will be wonderful”