The dismal stalemate highlights the growing rivalry between Indian football clubs and the nation on issues including pay, medical care, and scheduling conflicts.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant has denied seven of its players to join National camp of India at Bengaluru in an emergent conflict between club and country. The move comes after they pulled out of the Durand Cup and amidst growing tensions with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), over welfare and scheduling issues in and around the national team.
The club states that it is not obligatory to release the players beyond the FIFA official windows of international competitions in case no compensation or medical coordination is ensured. Seven of the players of the Bagan had been selected in AIFF national roster of 35 members amid the new coach Khalid Jamil preparing his team in view of the CAFA Nations Cup, which was disrupting.
Citing an example, a Mohun Bagan official has pointed out to the example of captain Subhasish Bose, who last played in the ISL final in April and is yet to recover following groin injury. The club asserts that the AIFF did not make any follow ups or check on his recovery indicating an neglect toward the welfare of players.
Mohun Bagan also refuses and this act is in line with their preparation of the AFC Champions League Two which is due to begin on September 16. Being current ISL champions as well as group stage qualifiers they desire to have ample time to prepare themselves as well as have all of the squad available. The club cited the importance of their campaign in boosting the continental coefficient of the country which has future tournament qualifications implications. Conversely, the AIFF applauded the actions of Jamshedpur FC by cashiering coach Khalid Jamil in the best national interest and requested all of the clubs to show collaboration before the international duty.
The rebellion of Mohun Bagan highlights what has become an increasingly delicate issue in Indian football, that of managing tensions between the interest of the club, of the players and the national interests. The situation they have taken might initiate broader arguments about the payment schemes, medical cooperation, and alignment of calendars among the AIFF and ISL teams.
Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr Just One Match Away From Their First Ever Trophy!
The rather odd absence of Sergey Lavrov at both the major Kremlin and international events…
Supreme Court Rejects Plea Against Arundhati Roy’s Book Cover Showing Her Smoking Beedi
The Supreme Court on Friday has refused to hear a petition challenging a Kerala High…
Putin India Visit: Russian President Vladimir Putin paid floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial in…
