Cash- hit Sporting opt for the sidelines
Kolkata, Oct. 20: Mohammedan Sporting, one of India’s oldest clubs and blessed with a rich legacy, on Monday decided to leave the national football scene for this season due to a severe financial crisis.
The 123- year- old Maidan-based club were to play in the I- League second division this season — expected to start in December — but have decided to pull out of the tournament. The club will also skip the ongoing Durand Cup in Goa as well.
“We will not play in the ILeague and Durand Cup in the upcoming season,” club president Sultan Ahmed confirmed.
Ahmed dismissed reports that the outfit have been disbanded, saying that they will still play in the local league. “We will make the club ready and develop infrastructure and take part in the I- League ( second division) from 2015- 16 onwards,” he said.
“We will also participate in next season’s Calcutta Football League Premier Division and also the IFA Shield besides taking part in invitational tournaments,” he added.
Asked whether Sporting were facing a financial crisis in the wake of the chit fund scam that has hit the state, Ahmed said, “It’s been there for a long time not only for us but for many football clubs in India. But we have managed so far.”
Another club official said they were reportedly running losses to the tune of ` 1.5 to 2 crore. “Unless our sponsors don’t provide us the necessary financial support, it’s not possible for us to go and play the Durand Cup. We will play the tournament only if they help us.
“Now because of the AIFF rules, we cannot play the Federation Cup too,” he said referring to their ILeague relegation last season that bars the club from participating in the national tournament.
Sporting have been reeling under financial problems for some time. Their failure to meet financial obligations had caused displeasure among the playing and coaching staff.
On top of that, Sporting were barred in May from competing in the I- League first division after failing to meet the AIFF’s club licensing criteria.
Under the AIFF’s Club Licensing Regulations, the teams are expected to meet several legal, administrative, sporting, infrastructure and financial criteria.
Licensing is an annual process where all clubs, eligible to compete based on sporting merit, need to have a license under the AIFF’s licensing system.