Kolkata's legacy football clubs Mohun Bagan and East Bengal had three conditions on joining the Indian Super League (ISL). Firstly, the waiver of the unrealistic Rs 15 crore franchise fee to participate in the Indian football competition. Secondly, to get some share of revenue from the ISL central pool.
And the third and the most important condition, to play from Kolkata.
Yes, with Atletico de Kolkata's hold on the iconic Salt Lake Stadium Kolkata, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are left with shifting their matches out of the City of Joy; something that can irk absolutely every Indian football fan, who has grown up embracing the legacy of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
ISL invited new franchises to pick up their bid documents, as the IMG-R and AIFF organised Indian football competition looked to extending the number of teams for ISL 2017, starting possibly in November, after the end of the FIFA U17 World Cup.
The legacy clubs from Kolkata, not ready to compromise on any front, decided not to submit the documents; as the deadline for submission of the 'Invitation to Bid' tender process came Thursday evening.
"We (Mohun Bagan and East Bengal) have not submitted the bid document. We are waiting for the AIFF's response. We are not wilting under any pressure tactics," Mohun Bagan General Secretary Anjan Mitra said.
What happens now?
With the complete mess that has taken place and the AIFF pressing the panic attack, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has mentioned that they will be looking for the greater benefit of all the stakeholders.
The submitted bid documents will be revealed only on June 7 after a crucial meeting among the AFC, the Indian football bigwigs, the stakeholders as well as the football clubs.
Back in Kolkata, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have decided to hold a meeting with the Indian Football Association (IFA) -- the governing body of football in West Bengal -- to discuss the way ahead.
Reports have come that even West Bengal Chief Minister has committed her support for the two heavyweight clubs and has strictly asked them not to compromise their dignity, by any means.
"The Indian constitution has been amended many times after its formation, and similarly here, the dates for a private organisation can also be changed," Mitra continued.
"Mamata has promised to give full support to the clubs and said she would do anything possible. She asked the clubs to keep their heads held high and not compromise on the dignity.
We will not play by giving franchise fees. It's a disrespect to Bengal's football. There will be no compromise in that.
We are grateful to the CM that she called us to listen to the problem in such a short notice. She took keen interest as she was not aware of the details.
We made her understood how there's a move to dilute the I-League and give prominence to the ISL. There are barriers for two clubs to get inducted."
- IFA President Utpal Ganguli
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