Report: East Bengal asked to clarify on players' dues by September 4

The matter will be referred to the Player Status Committee if the club fail to respond by the given date.

The 2019-20 I-League season came to an abrupt end due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a few games left to be played. Subsequently, some I-League clubs decided to activate the force majeure clause that resulted in cancellation of players' contracts, without paying further salaries from the day of activation. East Bengal were one such club to activate the clause on 25th April, which came into effect from 1st May.

However, this did not go down well with few players and at least five of them have approached the Players' Status Committee (PSC) regarding their salaries that have remained unpaid by the club's former investors. The AIFF has asked for clarification regarding the same from the club and have given time till September 4 to clear the issue with the players. After September 4, the matter will be presented to the PSC.

Quess Corp, East Bengal's former investors terminated their agreement with the club on July 17 and gave the sporting rights back to them. The players, some among whom had multi-year contracts with the club and have a month's salary pending, had sent notices to Quess East Bengal, with whom they had contracts earlier. Quess, in their reply, had said they have nothing to do with East Bengal any longer. The players, thus, do not have any existing contracts and are free agents with no clarity on their unpaid dues.

A source close to the developments told IANS, "The AIFF has sent a letter to East Bengal asking them to respond to players' demands regarding non-payments. They have been given time till September 4, after which the matter will be referred to PSC again."

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"Usually, the PSC evaluates both parties' claims, but in this case if East Bengal do not respond till September 4, only players' demands will be placed. If East Bengal reply and ask for more time, another week after September 4 will be given to them," the source further added.