Mohun Bagan reluctant to field team in Kolkata League for now, IFAO also adamant
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency, Kolkata: Mohun Bagan SG may not be seen playing in the remaining matches of the Kolkata Football League. Bagan Bahini has a match with Messrs. Durand in the Kolkata Football League on Wednesday. But they have informed that since Durand has a quarterfinal match ahead, Messrs. will not play the match. IFAO has shown a firm attitude and made it clear to the Mohun Bagan team management that it is not possible to postpone the match under any circumstances. The match will remain on. If Mohun Bagan does not play, action will be taken as per the league rules.
The match between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Messrs. was initially scheduled to be held on August 13 at the Mohun Bagan ground. But due to the army's refusal to grant permission, the IFA shifted the match to the Naihati ground. The Sabuj Maroons informed the IFA in a letter on August 8 that they would not be able to field the team on August 13, regardless of where the match is held. Because there is a Durand Cup quarterfinal match ahead. Many of those who were playing in the Kolkata Football League have joined Durand's team. So, it is not possible to play in the Kolkata League with a broken team until the Durand Cup is over. The Bagan Brigade's problem lies elsewhere. Kian and Suhel, who were in the Kolkata League team, are out of the field due to injuries. Although Dipendu played in the Kolkata League derby, Chief Coach Jose Molina is reluctant to leave him in Durand's team for the league match.
Upon receiving that letter, the IFA informed that it was not possible to postpone or postpone the match. Because it would cause the rest of the league teams to fail. At the same time, the league management would be hit. Many changes would have to be made to the schedule, which was not possible. Even then, Mohun Bagan wrote to IFA again on Monday, saying that they would not be able to play the Messrs. match. IFA Secretary Anirban Dutt once again informed the Bagan team management that it was not possible to postpone the match as requested by Mohun Bagan. In the past, Mohun Bagan has played the Kolkata League and Durand matches within a day of each other. And this time, after playing the match on August 13, Durand will get more than two days to play the quarterfinals. So the match is not being canceled, even if Mohun Bagan does not play.
Despite receiving this extreme message, Mohun Bagan is adamant about not playing. It can be said that if Mohun Bagan, which has earned 10 points in 6 matches, does not play any more matches in the league, then it will not have to fight to save relegation, but its chances of playing in the Super Six will be severely hit. The Bagan team management is not very worried about that. Because Mohun Bagan could not reach the Super Six last season either. It was not in the championship fight. And the league champion of last season has not been decided yet.