East Bengal-Sporting tussle over players reach flashpoint

Kolkata, June 1 (UNI) East Bengal and Mohameddan Sporting hit a transfer face-off today with intense drama marking the signing of four players.

The players in question are Malswamatulunga, Rahim Nabi, M Suresh and Chandan Das. The drama reached a high voltage pitch when four players lodged a complaint at a local police station claiming that the East Bengal officials had taken their tokens by breaking the lockers at the club dressing room.

Police raided the club premises, as claimed by some top East Bengal officials, and searched the lockers and went back satisfied.

However, the battle is far from over as Nabi has alleged that he had signed no vouchers and his signature had been forged.

''I will have to consult the lawyers,'' he said.

In a throw-back to the thrilling 70s of the last century when club transfers were at its dizzy high, Sporting has taken into their fold 11 players who served the red-gold last season, including Mike Okoro, Kulothungon, S Malswamtluanga, M Suresh, Syed Rahim Nabi, Sashthi Duley and Chandan Das.

The dispute centres around Malswamtluanga, Suresh, Nabi and Chandan Das, with East Bengal claiming that they had taken advance for the 2006-07 season, signed contracts and deposited their tokens with the club.

The 11 players moved to Mohameddan largely due to the presence of coach Subhas Bhowmik, the former coach of East Bengal, who is said to have very close links with the players.

East Bengal took umbrage to policy of poaching of the players and the fact that they had been kept at a hideout without the club officials getting access to them.

''We had written four letters to the Indian Football Association (IFA) (the apex soccer regulating body of West Bengal) giving their token numbers and also details of the advance they had taken and the signed vouchers,'' a top East Bengal official said.

''So now, unless we release them, they cannot play for any other outfit,'' he said.

Meanwhile, IFA secretary Subrata Dutta said according to the constitution article 26 (m-2) a player has to register for the club that has his token. ''In that case the club with the conclusive proof will get to sign the players,'' he said.

The black-white camp was not exactly pleased. Mohammed Kamruddin, football secretary, said, ''We have shelled out big amounts to the players and will take legal action if they are barred''.

He also sounded a warning, when he said, ''On June 2 around 5000 Sporting fans will come to witness the signing. if that does not happen, IFA secretary will have to bear the consequences.'' A top East Bengal official, however, added, ''We know we are on the right path and we have faith in the IFA. Justice shall prevail.'' UNI BA PL PG ND1406