Kolkata, Aug 18 (PTI) — Indian Super League champions Mohun Bagan have taken a strong stance by refusing to release their players for the ongoing national training camp, highlighting that there is no obligation to do so outside a FIFA window. They have accused the All India Football Federation (AIFF) of neglecting player welfare.
The senior India squad started its preparatory camp on August 15 in Bengaluru, ahead of the CAFA Nations Cup next month. However, 13 players, including seven from Mohun Bagan, have opted out of the camp. The club initially attributed their absence to commitments to the Durand Cup, but even after falling to a 1-2 defeat against East Bengal in the quarterfinals, they remain firm in their decision. Their focus has now shifted to the AFC Champions League Two opener against Turkmenistan's Ahal FC, scheduled for September 16 at the Salt Lake Stadium.
A Mohun Bagan official criticized the federation, referencing the case of skipper Subhasish Bose, who has been out of action after an injury sustained during India’s Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in March. "Every time our players return injured, there's no communication, compensation, or follow-up from the AIFF," the official told PTI.
"Bose is under rehabilitation, has missed the entire season, and we continue to pay his salary, yet there's been no inquiry from the federation," the official added. As the camp falls outside a FIFA international window and compensation for injuries is absent, the club has decided against releasing players for the camp.
The seven Mariners missing from the camp include Anirudh Thapa, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, and Vishal Kaith. Notably, forward Manvir is already dealing with an injury.
In addition, Mohun Bagan has withheld the release of four young players — Dippendu Biswas, Suhail Bhat, Priyansh Dubey, and T Abhishek Singh — crucial to the India U-23 team preparing for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers in Qatar next month. "Abhishek is our key defender in Bose’s absence, along with Dippendu, Suhail, and Priyansh," stated the club official.
Bhat is also reported to be carrying a minor injury. Mohun Bagan's refusal comes despite the AIFF's appeal for "cooperation" from clubs. The federation acknowledged Jamshedpur FC for releasing coach Khalid Jamil in the country's interest and requested similar support from others.
By clinching the ISL League Shield last season, the Mariners secured a direct entry to the AFC Champions League Two group stage. After their home game on September 16, they face Sepahan SC (Iran) and Al Hussein (Jordan) in successive away matches before hosting Al Hussein on November 4. Their campaign concludes with games against Ahal and Sepahan on November 25 and December 23, respectively.
Meanwhile, FC Goa has made it to the group stage after a 2-1 victory over Omani champions Al Seeb in the preliminaries. Placed in Group C, they begin their campaign at home against Al-Zawraa of Iraq on September 17. Four players from FC Goa — Hrithik Tiwari (goalkeeper), defenders Boris Singh and Sandesh Jhingan, and midfielder Udanta Singh — have joined the national camp.
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