MARGAO
Former coach Armando Colaco has called on East Bengal to come to a settlement with sponsors Shree Cement so that the club can focus on preparations for the new football season.
It was a black Wednesday outside the club gates on July 21 as fans clashed with police during heated protests demanding that the Red and Golds play in the Indian Super League. Five people were injured and around 60 were arrested after the clashes.
The club has decided not to sign a final agreement with the sponsors as proposed by the executive committee last week. Scores of fans had thronged outside the club's premises to express their opinion. Most of them made clear their unhappiness over the management decision. However, some fans supported the officials' decision even as others came down heavily on the new agreement proposed by Shree Cements, which they said undermines the club's values.
Voicing his opinion on the issue, former East Bengal coach Armando Colaco said, “They must settle the issue immediately by sitting across the table. East Bengal has a huge history behind it and what is happening now does not augur well for the Club and football. I hope an amicable solution is found soon.”
Under Colaco, the Red and Golds won the Calcutta League and finished as runners-up in the I-League.
“East Bengal is a 100-year-old club and has a passionate fan base. The AIFF has made a mess with the league system by gradually declaring ISL as the main league and reducing the status of I-League. Hence it is natural for fans to see their club playing in ISL,” Colaco added.
Former Goa Football Association president Elvis Gomes also weighed in on the issue.
“The fans have grievances about the club losing its age-old identity. Whatever may the reason be, violence cannot be justified. Police intervention must have happened to prevent a law and order situation. The club should take the feelings of the fans into consideration. After all, they are the mainstay of East Bengal,” Gomes said.
“We (in Goa) too used to have such passionate fans. But not anymore with football going into decline after three I-League clubs pulled out and confined themselves to local football. Players do not have a wider platform in Goa anymore,” Gomes said.
