FSDL invites bids for one additional team in ISL 2020-21

Kolkata giants East Bengal are most likely to be the sole bidders for the upcoming edition of the competition.

The organizers of the Indian Super League (ISL), Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) have invited bids for a new team in the 2020-21 season of the competition.

“FSDL invites bids from interested parties for the award of one additional team to enrol and participate in the Hero ISL, from its seventh edition to be staged in 2020-21,” a tender released on Friday read.

The bids have been invited from six cities ie. Ahmadabad, Bhopal, Delhi, Kolkata, Ludhiana and Siliguri. A copy of the bidding documents will be available from September 7th and all interested parties will be required to fill and submit the documents online by September 14th while a physical copy of the same should be submitted by September 17th. Once all the documents are verified, the confirmation could be made latest by September 25th, reports The Times of India.

East Bengal FC who recently confirmed Shree Cements as their primary investor are most likely to be the sole bidder for the upcoming edition of Indian Super League as the league is all set for expansion for the second time since inception.

The arch-rivals of the Red and Gold, Mohun Bagan have already confirmed their participation in the ISL earlier by joining hands with former champions ATK. However, East Bengal were struggling financially to make it to the cash-rich league, until Shree Cement arrived as their sponsor and now it seems there are no hurdles left for the Kolkata giants to play in the top division of India.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on 2nd September announced the sponsor for East Bengal and said, “All problems are solved, East Bengal will now play in the ISL.” Moreover, former India captain and East Bengal legend Bhaichung Bhutia also welcomed the move by saying, “I am very happy that finally East Bengal got an investor and are hopeful of playing ISL this year. I am really happy for the fans. They have been praying to see East Bengal play in the top league.”