Kolkata, June 8: World football governing body FIFA has banned Indian Super League clubs East Bengal and Kerala Blasters from signing any new players in the transfer window because of non-payment of dues to former recruits. Indian football’s transfer window begins from Wednesday.
FIFA’s ban, which was drafted on June 1 and forwarded by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Monday, comes in the wake of East Bengal and KBFC’s failure to comply with ‘financial obligations’ for their former players Johnny Acosta and Matej Poplatnik.
Already grappling with the final agreement issue with their present investors Shree Cement, the fresh development is another blow to East Bengal”s preparation for ISL as they will have to clear the due for the ban to be lifted. East Bengal top official Debabrata Sarkar said they have received the letter and are taking “immediate steps”. “Shree Cement has communicated this through a letter. It”s true. We are taking immediate action,” Sarkar said, reacting to the transfer ban.
Blaming their former investor Quess Corporation for this, Sarkar said: “This is a fallout of the one-sided termination by Quess Corp Ltd. Now we are made to pay the price for their wrongdoing. We are very much worried about the club”s future.” Costa Rican World Cupper Acosta, who played a key role in East Bengal”s runner-up finish in 2018-19 I-League, had complained against the club to FIFA.
“I close a cycle of my life, this time a little different. In a great institution to which I have a lot of love and respect, Quess East Bengal FC, but that in the end there were contract and salary issues that failed to comply, in addition to little help for my return to Costa Rica where the club showed little disposition and apathetic to my situation,” he had posted.
Players can approach FIFA if they aren”t paid their wages on time. (PTI)
