East Bengal’s first I-League home game against Aizawl FC, scheduled to be played on November 28, has come under a cloud of uncertainty after the club said it would be unable to host the game due to the unavailability of the Salt Lake Stadium which is also being used as the venue for the home matches of Indian Super League side ATK.
On Monday, East Bengal has said in a statement that government regulations did not permit two matches to be held in a span of 48 hours at the same venue. The Indian Super League (ISL) franchise ATK take on FC Pune City on November 26 and in two days’ time, East Bengal play Aizawl in an opener. There were fears that the Kolkata giants might even hand a walkover to reigning champions.
“We requested the I-League committee to let us play at Barasat or shift the match by one day. But they mailed back saying nothing is possible now and the time also cannot be changed,” East Bengal’s statement read.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) informed East Bengal that the issue was taken up with the broadcasters and it was not possible to change the venue or the date. If East Bengal fail to organise the match, three points will be deducted.
The club has sent the I-League mail to the Sports Department of West Bengal, asking them to review their decision of not allowing them to play at 48 hours’ notice.
I-League CEO Sunando Dhar, though, said on Tuesday that the match would be held as per schedule.
“The match will go on as per schedule. We have been told that all the issues have been sorted out,” Dhar told The Field. “I do not have anything in black and white, but we have communicated the stipulations to the club. From what I understand, the game will be held as planned,” he added.
East Bengal secretary Rajat Guha was unavailable for comment.
Relations between legacy clubs East Bengal and Mohun Bagan with the AIFF are at an all-time low, due to a stand-off between the two parties over the two-league system this year.