Mohun Bagan footballers training at their ground on Thursday. File Pic[/caption]Kolkata: Within 24 hours of their decision to not play the Calcutta Football League derby, Mohun Bagan officials sat down with the footballers to discuss their decision to pull out of the derby. The meeting was organized to clear the air of growing misunderstanding between the footballers and officials.
The Bagan footballers sat with the club’s assistant secretary Srinjoy Bose and finance secretary Debasis Dutta after the practice session in the club tent. The Bagan officials explained their stance in the meeting which went on for an hour or so. They told the footballers that they felt vindicated by the parent body IFA. It was a bit harsh on the part of the parent body to not postpone the derby for a day. Both Srinjoy and Debasis tried to convince the footballers in the meeting that they always wanted to play the derby but only after getting certain issues sorted. Had the parent body been a bit more considerate the situation could have been solved in a better way.
The green and maroon footballers were all in a pensive mood at the practice session. Most of them looked confused with the way things turned out during the last 8 days. But as professional footballers they were bound to abide by what the club management decides. Someone like Darryl Duffey, who was eyeing his maiden appearance in derby looked upset and did not hide his disappointment. The Scottish striker looked much more relaxed after the meeting with the club officials. According to Duffey, “It’s true I was interested to play in the derby, but then as professional footballers you have to respect what the club management decides. Surely there must be certain circumstance that may have transpired the club management to take such a decision.” On being asked what was he doing when the opponent footballers were shown live on the tv screen, he said, “I was with my family, and enjoyed the day off.”
Mohun Bagan finance secretary Debasis Dutta, who is believed to be the brain behind the club’s decision to not play was quite adamant. He still feels it was the right decision on the part of the club to take the field yesterday as security was a major concern in Kalyani.
According to Debasis, “We still feel the two goals we scored against Tollygunje were legitimate goals. Both goals were scored in on side position.”
He further added, “A section in the media along with some ex-footballers is trying to take this opportunity to create a gap between the footballers and the club management.”
The Mohun Bagan finance secretary was trying to target ex-footballer and Bhawanipur coach Debjit Ghosh and Subhash Bhowmik who criticized the club’s decision of not playing the derby. “Debjit is yet to win a match in the Premeir League as coach of Bhawanipur. So, let him concentrate more on his team’s performance rather than passing on remarks on what other club is doing. As far as Bhowmik, maybe it is his frustration of not being able to coach our club.”
Few East Bengal footballers expressed their dissatisfaction about getting a walkover against their arch rivals. The Bagan finance secretary reminded them, “If they really felt it was not sporting enough, they should have tried and convince their club officials.”
Mohun Bagan assistant secretary Srinjoy Bose was not as much attacking as Debasis. Sccording to Srinjoy, “It turned out to be more of an ego battle between us. Mohun Bagan will never bow to any pressure.”
The fate of the match is to announced officially only after the CFL sub-committee sits down with the referee and match commissioners report.
The marquee tie was scheduled to take place at the Kalyani Stadium on Wednesday but Mohun Bagan stuck to their guns of not taking the field due to inadequate number of tickets provided to them and not enough preparation time given to players. Arch rivals East Bengal is on the brink of history as a win against Mohammedan Sporting would secure their unprecedented seventh Calcutta Football League title.
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