Official match skipped; Bagan wins practice game

Mohun Bagan officially have skipped the first official game of the season. Fans have difference in opinions – while a section denounced the move, another section of the fans have supported the move against the parent body’s weakness in handling Tolgay issue. Mohun Bagan win the practice match against Army XI by 6-0. Tolgey , Odafa (2), Stanley, Bijendra and Sabeeth scored for Bagan.

Since Bagan has not participated in the Sahara Kolkata Premier League opener against  Southern Samity, it is expected that Southern Samity will be awarded with 3 points and 2 goals while Bagan will forfeit 2 penalty points in addition to 3 points and 2 goals.

Bagan officials have mentioned that the team will not play the next game against Tollygaunge Agragami if the game is scheduled for 26th April. The supporters will now have to wait for the first game Bagan plays this season. This is not going to happen before September it seems.

The strategy behind skipping first two games

Mohun Bagan Secretary Anjan Mitra wrote2 letters to IFa Secretary on 16th August 2012. The first letter was about the agreements with Tolgay Ozbey, and the second letter was in response to an email from IFA. In the second letter Anjan Kumar Mitra, MD, United Mohun Bagan Football Team Pvt. Ltd. mentioned that the team will not participate in the scheduled matches of 18th and 26th August respectively. The matches are scheduled against Southern Samity and Tollygaunge Agragamy respectively.

As per the new format of the Sahara Kolkata Premier League, Mohun Bagan is in Group B along with Port Trust, Police AC, Mohammedan Sporting, Tollygaunge Agragamy,  Kalighat,  Bhowanipore, West Bengal Police and Southern Samity.

 

The top 4 teams from the Group will qualify for the next round.

Group A consists of 10 teams and top 5 will qualify into the second round.

9 teams will then play among each other in a round robin league (which means no carry forward) for the championship.

Incidentally Mohun Bagan is scheduled to play 16 games with 17 teams participating in the Premier league. But this new format ensures that at least 5 teams will not be able to play against Mohun Bagan, while 4 teams will play against Bagan twice.

Incidentalyl IFA has mentioned that FIFA rules will not be followed to decide the champion if top two teams have the same point.

IFA is really doing whatever it can to take Bengal’s football backwards!

An Open Letter To IFA

It is an open letter to IFA Hon. Secretary Shri Utpal Ganguly by a Mohun Bagan fan regarding Tolgay Ozbey issue.

To
Mr. Utpal Ganguly
Hony. Secretary
Indian Football Associtation
Kolkata
West Bengal.

Ref: Transfer imbroglio of Tolgay Ozbey for 2012-13.

Dear Sir,

Let me first wake you up from self imposed slumber . Sir, your are heading an organisation founded in 1893 . It is the oldest FA in India. Now it administers football of West Bengal unlke its name. But, prior to formation of AIFF, in 1937, it was , de facto, in control of total Indian football.

Of late, your actions were awfully weighing down the reputation of this esteemed association. As may be borne out by the facts , wrt the above referred issue, briefly stated below:

A transfer dispute(details need no repetition) between Togay and KEB was referred to you by both of themfor adjudication, as parent body. KEB also knocked the door of Hon’ble Court , which alluded to their No Confidence on you. While Tolgay was totally reliant on you and limited his communications within football authorities .

After procrastinating inordinately on various excuses, you arranged a meeting between Tolgay and KEB inpresence of your observer. In last moment KEB backed out on flimsy ground .  Clearly showing their defiance and vindictive attitude .

But you ignored and formed a ‘Core Committee’ with time bound single agendum .  Consequently the said committee pronounced the follwingon 23/7/2012 for compliance within72 hrs:

1. Tolgay belongs to KEB .
2. Tolgay will have to shell out hefty cumulative fine of Rs 15 lacs and a letter of apology to seek release from KEB.
3. Requested KEB to return his Token.

Tolgay gave his consent within the prescribed time. But KEB showed utter disregard again and flouted no. of deadlines.

Even then you not only remained unmoved but effusive in your praise towards KEB. Wherefrom
you imported those superlatives were best known to you.

However,eventually on 14/8/2012 KEB, true to their wont, without attaching any importance , whatsoever, to your request haughtily stated…quote … The club desirious of availing the services of Tolgay will have to write to us for his release…unquote.

Will you still remain MUTE SPECTATOR and maitain your LOPSIDED STANCE to just ask both KEB and MMB(who threatened to pull out of KFL) to reconsider their respective decisitons? Or sort itout as warranted by its merit without any fear and favour?

Time will answer. Football is crying hoarse for your rational stand.

Else whole football fraternity of India will look at you with unconcealed disdain.

Regards

yours faithfully

smbasu