Reigning ISL champion Mohun Bagan Super Giants refused to release their selected seven footballers for the ongoing national preparatory camp on Monday.
The club explained that it is “not mandatory” outside a FIFA window and accused the All India Football Federation of ‘negligence’ over the footballers’ welfare.
The senior India squad began its preparatory camp in Bengaluru on 15th August ahead of next month’s CAFA Nations Cup. But 13 players, including seven from Mohun Bagan, are yet to join the camp.
Initially, their absence was attributed to the club’s Durand Cup commitments. But even after the Mariners crashed out with a 1-2 derby defeat to East Bengal in the quarterfinals on Sunday, the club has stood firm, citing its upcoming AFC Champions League Two opener against Turkmenistan’s Ahal FC at Salt Lake Stadium on 16th September.
Hitting out at the federation, a Mohun Bagan official pointed to the case of skipper Subhasish Bose, who has been sidelined since suffering an injury during India’s Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in March this year.
“Every time they take our players, three or four of them return injured, and the AIFF is least bothered to communicate, compensate, or even check on them,” the official told PTI.
“Look at Bose… He is under rehab, has missed the entire season so far, we are paying his salary, and yet the federation hasn’t even called once to inquire about him.” He further added, “Unless it is a FIFA international window, the club doesn’t need to release its players as there is no compensation in case of injury. Hence, we are not releasing anyone for this camp.”
The seven Mariners missing from the camp include Aniruddha Thapa, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad and Vishal Kaith. Forward Manvir is already nursing an injury.
