Dark clouds hovering over Indian soccer didn’t dampen the spirit of the Durand Cup because the 131st version of Asia’s oldest sporting match started with a lot fanfare and fanfare on the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Kreerangan right here on Tuesday.
The opening day of the Durand Cup was attended by round 13,000 followers who got here to observe the match between Mohammedan Sporting and defending champions FC Goa.
Security was beefed up on the VYBK stadium lengthy earlier than the match started, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee because the chief visitor for the one-hour opening ceremony.
Grand Opening Ceremony for the 131st – The event was graced by the presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Smt. @MamataOfficial with the honorable @aroopbiswasaitc and honorable @tiwarymanojIt was adopted by different distinguished dignitaries. pic.twitter.com/YBdFRPP2kE
— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) 16 August 2022
While the suspension of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) by the game’s world governing physique, FIFA, may have far-reaching penalties, with the nation set to lose the internet hosting rights to the Under-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in October, a festive environment prevails. Little was revealed concerning the gloomy actuality in the course of the Durand Cup opener.
For the primary time within the historical past of the match, 11 groups from the Indian Super League (ISL) will be a part of 20 different groups vying for the highest honours.
Five I-League golf equipment within the match and the remaining 4 are from the Armed Forces.
“We are really sad for the ban but football cannot stop, so we are here with all our strength to support our team. I am sure better things will happen soon,” stated the Mohammed SC fan.
However, Indian Football Association Secretary (IFA) Anirban Dutta appeared slightly nervous concerning the FIFA ban.
“Not only the U-17 Women’s World Cup, ATK Mohun Bagan’s AFC Cup Inter-Zonal semi-final match will also be affected,” Dutta instructed reporters right here.
Official attendance: 12,857.
We respect your help!#MDSFCG #black #durandcup I#IndianOilDurandCup I#DurandCup2022 I#indianfootball I https://t.co/eyJ5CKdqmP pic.twitter.com/K45q1CC8VQ
— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) 16 August 2022
“It will have a negative impact on the I-League, ISL and players as well. Clubs will not be able to sign any foreign players. I hope it gets restored soon,” he stated.
This is the primary ban within the wealthy 85-year-old historical past of the AIFF and FIFA has stated that the violation is a critical violation of its guidelines.
“Many clubs and players will suffer from this. If the ban is not lifted, there will be no U-17 Women’s World Cup and our semi-final also remains a cloud of uncertainty. We can’t even sign players,” Mohun Bagan secretary Debashish Dutta termed it as a “black day” for Indian soccer.
“Those who’re chargeable for defaming the sport needs to be punished. We anticipate everybody to place their ego apart, surrender their chairs (posts) and save Indian soccer within the Supreme Court listening to tomorrow.
After qualifying for the primary spherical earlier this 12 months, India will even play the AFC Asian Cup subsequent 12 months and the suspension will jeopardize the nationwide staff’s prospects.
“It is not a joke. We should have considered it. But we are hoping for the best,” stated former footballer and Mohun Bagan legend Satyajit Chatterjee.
Stating that Indian soccer wants a clean-up, former India goalkeeper Sandeep Nandi stated that getting gamers into administration is the important thing to shifting ahead.
Why are we not giving significance to former gamers? Look at BCCI, Indian cricket is run by (Board President) Sourav Ganguly and we even have the good Rahul Dravid as the top coach. This is the way in which in soccer too,” Nandi stated.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
