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East Bengal lastly obtained an investor with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saying on Thursday a three way partnership of the century-old membership with city-based Shree Cement firm and making a powerful pitch for its inclusion within the Indian Super League this 12 months. In an unprecedented announcement on the state secretariat Nabanna in Howrah, Banerjee stated with the approaching in of Shree Cement, East Bengal is “self-sufficient to complete the formalities” to play within the ISL.
“No one is ready to spend in this pandemic situation. But Shree Cement have come forward and finalised the negotiation. It gives a different level of joy and satisfaction,” Banerjee stated following a gathering with membership officers and Shree Cement at Nabanna.
“They (East Bengal) are now self-sufficient to complete the formalities (to play in ISL). It’s like winning from the jaws of defeat. I hope there will be no further obstacles,” she added.
She stated she has requested the All India Football Federation to do the needful in order that East Bengal can play within the ISL this season.
“All problems are now solved. Today all the fans will be happy that East Bengal will play in the ISL. Of course, they have to complete the formalities. I have requested everyone including the AIFF.”
The particulars of the deal was not disclosed, however it’s learnt that Shree Cement can have a majority stake of 80 per cent and the membership will look for an entry into the ISL.
With lower than three months left for the event to start out, it’s nonetheless to be seen how FSDL, the ISL organisers, opens a slot for East Bengal’s final minute entry.
This 12 months’s ISL might be performed in three venues in Goa, possible beginning within the later a part of November, amid strict well being and security measures to cope with the COVID-19 risk.
The chief minister had taken private curiosity within the negotiation of the red-and-gold brigade, who, of their centenary 12 months, have been left within the lurch after their former buyers Quess Corp pulled out in May.
East Bengal’s arch-rivals Mohun Bagan will make a foray into the ISL this season following a merger with ATK earlier this 12 months.
“East Bengal Club are celebrating 100 years. In the middle, there was an uncertainty. They were being deprived and Mohun Bagan had signed contracts. We did not want East Bengal to lose out,” Banerjee stated.
East Bengal high official Debabrata Sarkar profusely thanked the chief minister for her private intervention and stated his membership “will now complete all the formalities and make a strong bid to play in the ISL”.
“For the last seven months, she has been constantly supporting us. I remember the day there was announcement of Mohun Bagan’s tie-up (with ATK). Didi (Mamata) called up and asked ‘what will happen to you?
“She went on so as to add ‘I’m with you. I can always remember that. Even we had not dreamt of such a factor,” Sarkar said.
FSDL’s parent company Reliance’s Tarun Jhunjunwala said: We will try that East Bengal will play in ISL this year. There are some formalities which need to be completed. With East Bengal and Mohun Bagan together in ISL, this will be a new beginning of Indian football.
“We wouldn’t have reached this stage with out the blessing of Didi,” he added.
A Shree Cement official said: “We are proud to be related to East Bengal. Without the Chief Minister’s intervention, this partnership wouldn’t have been attainable.”
Bengaluru-based Quess Corp, who had a 70 per cent stake in the club, terminated their tie-up in May, one year ahead of their deal to leave East Bengal without a sponsor.
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East Bengal gamers’ contracts have been additionally terminated from May 1, forward of the particular date utilizing the Force Majeure clause.
But the membership remained hopeful with Banerjee having approached AIFF President Praful Patel in May to contemplate East Bengal’s entry into the ISL.
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