Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday assured East Bengal fans that the red-and-gold team would play in the Indian Super League, signaling that the ongoing stand-off between the club and the investor over signing of the definitive agreement could be over soon.
“Talks are going on (regarding the contract). There are some disagreements and there are some differences (between the two parties)… I hope and as far as my information goes, East Bengal will play in the ISL,” Banerjee said on the occasion of the Khela Hobe Diwas at the Netaji Indoor Stadium.
Last September, Banerjee played a behind-the-scenes role in bringing Shree Cement Ltd on board as the investor of East Bengal, thus paving the way for the team’s dramatic entry into the country’s top football league. The term sheet signed by the two parties at that time is yet to be executed into the definitive agreement as the club has demanded some amendments to it, saying some clauses are “insulting” to the members of the club.
The honorable Chief Minister of West Bengal assured East Bengal fans, that the club will take part in the upcoming Hero Indian Super League season. The 2021-22 ISL season is set to start in November and will be played in Goa, under closed doors like last year.
Talks were going on for the last few weeks between Shree Cement and East Bengal (through mediators) and the matter was resolved in a meeting chaired by Mamata Banerjee at the state secretariat ‘Nabanna’, where representatives of East Bengal and investor Shree Cement Limited was also present in an effort to break the deadlock over the final agreement.
Now, as per the agreements (between both the parties) – Shree Cement will continue to sponsor East Bengal and the team will now participate in the upcoming Hero Indian Super League (ISL).
“We also want the khela (game) to happen. Due to certain reasons, we couldn’t sign the definitive agreement. We were trying for the past one year to make things work. However, since you (Mamata) have requested we will be participating in this year’s ISL,” Shree Cement representative, chief finance officer Subhash Jajoo, said.
After her outburst against the investor on Monday for saying they cannot continue with the deal, the chief minister appeared to have mellowed on Wednesday.
“East Bengal played the ISL last year owing to Shree Cement. This time things were a bit uncertain because of which I too became a bit hostile (on Monday). Where will the crores of East Bengal fans go, I thought, if they aren’t able to play? East Bengal have a brand value in world football. I had requested them (Shree Cement) and they agreed,” she said.
“I think East Bengal fans are happy now. Even Mohun Bagan (ATK Mohun Bagan feature in ISL) will be happy because they want their opponents to play. I had received so many calls, voicing their concern about East Bengal’s fate. So, everyone would be happy today,” Mamata added.
In September last year, Mamata had played the role of messiah to thousands of East Bengal fans by announcing Shree Cement as investor. That cleared the way for East Bengal to feature in the ISL.
