East Bengal crowned Calcutta Football League chapiomps despite Sharchi groups' pressure on IFA

East Bengal had an eventful Calcutta Football League campaign.

East Bengal won the 2024 Calcutta Football League title in rather dramatic circumstances after being involved in an eventful ‘super six’ round with many other teams.

Mohammedan SC were also in the race contention. The Red & Gold Brigade finished the campaign just two points above Diamond Harbour FC, with multiple games being ultimately called off after initial postponement.

But there was some controversy during the Red & Gold Brigade’s 2-2 draw against Mohammedan Sporting in the Super Six round.

The match took place on 20 September, when East Bengal found themselves held by the Black Panthers’ reserves players. Despite a Jesin TK brace, Mohammedan SC fought hard to acquire a point from the tough game.

A twist happened a few days after this game took place. After some enquiring, it was notified that Mohammedan had not fielded four West Bengal-born players. In the 2024 season, the IFA (Indian Football Association) created the ‘Son of Soil’ rule where every team must field four West Bengal-born players in their team.

This was an effort to help give a bigger platform for the Bengali players or those from within the state and ensure teams didn’t poach players from other states and only play them.

ALSO READ: Oscar Bruzon outlines two factors that can help East Bengal’s qualify ACL knockout rounds

IFA’s take on Mohammedan SC

The IFA was enraged upon learning that Mohammedan SC had broken the rules and brought the hammer down on them.

They stripped them of the points acquired from the draw and gave all three points to East Bengal to bolster their title charge. But this ended up triggering Shrachi Sports, who are an investor in the Black Panthers.

Shrachi Sports are also a partner of the IFA and have commercial and media marketing rights, giving them the chance to film and record football competitions organized by the IFA.

They sent a rather threatening letter to the IFA on 9 October, claiming that if the organization continued to not give Mohammedan Sporting their chance to explain their actions in the match, then Shrachi Sports’ partnership agreement with the IFA might also be hampered.

The IFA’s disciplinary committee was forced into relenting on the matter and giving the Black Panthers a chance to have their say on the matter. They were also pressurized by Diamond Harbour FC pulling out of the 2024 CFL campaign in protest after witnessing their title rivals East Bengal get three free points from the Mohammedan game despite drawing against them.

Ultimately, the IFA tweaked their decision and hit the Black Panthers with a 50,000 rupees fine for their action. This doesn’t, however, impact the title race that much as East Bengal remain champions of the 2024 CFL which also ended up being their 40th championship.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.