Pictures by Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency
Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency: Will the investor Emami continue its association with East Bengal? Amidst this atmosphere of uncertainty, fresh news has emerged. Is East Bengal’s former investor—Shree Cement—poised to make a comeback? On Wednesday, rumors circulated that the club's top official, Debabrata Sarkar, had visited the Shree Cement offices for a meeting.
Photographs of Debabrata standing at the company's office premises also began circulating on social media. However, speaking from the club tent in the evening, Debabrata denied the incident. On the contrary, he stated, "Given the current state of affairs, nothing can be said with certainty right now. Until the Federation's calendar is clarified, nothing is clear from our end either."
Shree Cement served as East Bengal's investor a few years ago. However, after a brief period of collaboration, friction arose between the two parties. Various allegations were leveled; the club alleged that the investors' ultimate goal was to take over the institution, while the investors, in turn, pointed fingers at certain individuals within the club management. The team's performance during that period was also lackluster. Ultimately, Shree Cement withdrew its association. Emami stepped in to fill that void—an association that, for the first time, saw the ISL trophy arrive at the club tent. Yet, even regarding Emami, the situation remains shrouded in uncertainty.