AGENCIES
NEW DELHI: Mohun Bagan have urged the parent body to review the punishment meted out to them by the I-League committee for violations in the second half of the December 9 Kolkata Derby.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Mohun Bagan will be pulling out all the stops to coax the AIFF into revoking the two-season ban imposed upon the club after the Mariners had not fielded a side during the second half of the infamous Kolkata Derby on December 9.
Bagan sent a letter of appeal to federation president Praful Patel on Monday. AIFF general secretary Kushal Das confirmed the receipt of the letter. He also stated that the federation would seek legal advice before deciding upon the next course of action.
Though the contents of the letter were not disclosed, it is believed that the Mariners have regretted their decision to withdraw from the game before the second half started. Bagan had stated that they were fearful for the safety of their players after Nabi was struck by a missile from the crowd and did not want a repeat of the August 1980 episode where 16 fans lost their lives when a Kolkata Derby match at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata turned ugly.
The Mariners’ have also requested that the I-League Core Committee meeting which was to be held on January 9 be deferred till the AIFF dispose of their appeal.
However, fans of the club have called for the heads of the officials who took the decision to not field a team during the second half of the Derby. Hundreds of club supporters took out a silent candle-light procession from the Eden Gardens to the club gate, but were stopped from entering the Bagan tent by private security guards hired by the club authorities. Only members with valid membership cards were allowed in.
Mohun Bagan have found an unlikely ally in East Bengal who also wrote to the AIFF stating that any change in the I-League during the ongoing season can hurt the credibility of Indian football. However, they also commended the federation on remaining firm whilst taking the decision to ban Bagan despite calls for them to remain in the I-League.
Meanwhile, Trevor Morgan, the East Bengal coach, believes that the punishment had to be severe on Mohun Bagan so that in future, teams would think twice before deciding to abandon an I-League game mid-way.
The AIFF found Bagan guilty of breaching Charter 22 of the I-League regulations and were slammed a ban of two years and are considered withdrawn from the current season.
“The AIFF had to take a strict decision. Otherwise somebody could do it again and the seriousness of the I-League would have decreased,” the British coach opined.
Trevor also mentioned that the main victims were the supporters, who had come to the ground to support their favourite team. According to him, it was very unfair to deride fans of 45 minutes of good football in the Kolkata Derby.
On being asked whether he would miss the ambience of the high profile Kolkata Derby against Mohun Bagan in the I-League, Morgan replied in the affirmative.
“Yes, that is a big match. The players look forward to it. The fans wait for the match for the whole season. We also have separate planning for the particular match. We will certainly miss the match that the city looks forward to,” he said.
Morgan was concerned about the future of Mohun Bagan players who were on a long-term contract with the Kolkata club and had to bear the brunt of the ban from the nation’s top division league.
“You sign a three-year deal to secure your future. But in this kind of a scenario, it will be hard for the players to decide about their future. This is a hard time for them also,” said the 56-year old.
Arthur Papas, the Pailan Arrows coach, refused to be drawn on AIFF’s decision to ban Mohun Bagan and said, “I am new to India and so, I am not the right person to comment on the ban. It has to be seen whether this affects Indian football in the long run. But rules are rules, you know.”
