Mohun Bagan has suffered a lot from refereeing , particularly some crucial matches in last few years. Incidentally not just Mohun Bagan, other iLeague clubs also were subject to refereeing errors, and it was allegedly found that only two clubs were benefited, one of them have withdrawn their team.

Dr Errol Sweeney, World Cup Referee Coach & Mentor, once said ” There are few people one can really trust in life. Among these would/should be the police, the clergy, your doctor, and one would hope, soccer referees. Sadly, while it is not very apparent, there are a few of our colleagues who are prepared to betray the trust put in them. ”

Unfortunately while likes of Zico, Robarto Carlos, the world cup winners , have criticized Indian refereeing, the referees were patted well by the football officials of the country instead of asking them to improve.

Serious questions have been raised for a particular referee and his abilities in the football ground. Questions are been raised on his biased approach towards various teams, and then when the said referee is selected for crucial iLeague matches , it is obvious that eyebrows will be raised.

FIFA or AFC should not shed their responsibilities as well. They should ensure proper anti-corruption guidelines are followed to ensure neutrality of refereeing in Indian football. Questions are been raised whether FIFA is having an eye towards the same or not.

Mohun Bagan will play another away game this Sunday. Incidentally the fans observed that a particular team has been getting a lot of blessings from the referees this year as well. This started happening from the very first game when a player was pulled down inside the box and no penalty was given. A team gets penalty for slightest infringement and other teams are deprived of penalties for open fouls.

Last year Mohun Bagan suffered poor refereeing from a similar match – Bagan players were fouled and referee continuously ignored. There has been no improvement in refereeing this year – and one can expect that the referee might not be neutral in the upcoming game as well.

And this is where the question is for AIFF. Can AIFF take this matter seriously, or have the right intention at least to take the matter seriously? In world football refereeing has been shamed from time to time, ILeague is not an exception. Can AIFF ensure the referees are neutral? Can AIFF publish officially what calls referees who will conduct the match, get in the last 7 days (before the game), and ensure the referees are not found in close vicinity of some club officials of any team as well ? Can AIFF officially publish the income of the referees who will participate in the game and ensure there is no discrepancy in the earning of the referees?

Or AIFF will remain mum ?

Mohun Bagan gets past Colombo FC in the home match by 2-1. Sony and Duffy scored for Bagan. Balwant missed a penalty. Bagan defense continued to make faux pas, and conceded a goal in the dying minutes of the game.

Bagan played safe and the purpose is not to burn out. Bagan was successful on that. However there were at least two occasions when defense mistakes could have been costly. Shilton Paul expectedly conceded a goal as well.

Mohun Bagan will play Valencia in 2nd Qualifying round on 21st February (away) and 28th February (home)

Squad- Shilton, Souvik Ghosh, Anas, Balwant (Jr), Souvik C, Sony(Balwant), Pronay, Bikramjit (Sr), Yusa(Azhar), Jeje, Duffy(Raynier)