The two Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are going to make their ISL debut this season. Mohun Bagan has merged with 3 times ISL winner ATK and will be known as ATK Mohun Bagan FC. Meanwhile, East Bengal has managed to retain their own identity as they brought on a new investor, Shree Cement and will be known as Sporting Club East Bengal.
All the Indian football clubs have been attempting to meet a set of required criteria, popularly known as the AFC club licensing criteria, in order to take part in official tournaments since 2013. The clubs have to meet five different criteria which include Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel and Administrative, Legal and Financial.
ATK Mohun Bagan FC along with FC Goa, Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC, Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City FC have been successfully granted the AFC Club License for the 2020-21 season.
On the other hand, ATKMB’s city rivals, SC East Bengal has failed to meet the required criteria. They have been denied the AFC club license. Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters are the other two teams alongside East Bengal who have faltered the club license.
The clubs who have failed to meet the AFC club licensing criteria will now have to request an exemption from AFC and pay subsequent fines. But there’s a silver lining as AFC can grant exceptions this season due to the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.
So now SC East Bengal have applied for AFC Club License exemption.
A club official told PTI on conditions of anonymity: “We have requested for an exemption to participate in the National Competition from the Club Licensing committee,”
“We were not able to comply with documents pertaining to the 2019-2020 season for different criteria but have submitted all documents which were in our control. We are hopeful that the committee will take the best decision for the club.”
AFC can make exceptions only on one condition that all clubs who have failed the licensing procedure will have to assure that they will meet all criteria next season. This is the only way they will be allowed to take part in this year’s competitions.
ATK Mohun Bagan FC will lock horns with SC East Bengal on 27th November, which promises to be one of the most exciting matches of this season’s ISL.
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