If forced, we will travel to Srinagar: East Bengal

Kolkata, February 19

East Bengal on Tuesday again appealed to the All India Football Federation to postpone their I-League match against Real Kashmir in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack but ruled out defying the national governing body if it decided to stick to the schedule. East Bengal said they would travel to Srinagar for their match against Real Kashmir on February 28 if “forced” to do so by AIFF, instead of taking a legal route like Minerva Punjab.

“We are appealing to AIFF to consider this on humanitarian grounds. A team that is in the title race cannot play under such circumstances. We will not take any legal steps. If they force us, we will play in that case,” said East Bengal official Debabrata Sarkar.

“We are not here to fight with AIFF. We want to save football and the footballers. If something happens to players, it will be a very bad advertisement for Indian football. But if AIFF forces us, then we will try to convince our players to go. Our coach is a foreigner and we have six foreign players who have raised their concerns over playing there,” he added. I-League CEO Sunando Dhar said the February 28 match will be held as per schedule. “We have replied to East Bengal’s e-mail. The situation in Srinagar is under control. So the game between East Bengal and Real Kashmir will be held as scheduled on February 28,” said Dhar. 

Minerva Punjab FC filed a writ petition at the Delhi High Court, challenging AIFF’s refusal to either move the match to some other venue or postpone it. — PTI

Bengaluru FC offer to play friendly in Srinagar 

• Indian Super League outfit Bengaluru FC offered to play an exhibition match against Real Kashmir in Srinagar to support the I-League debutants after defending champions Minerva FC pulled out of their match, citing security concerns. Real Kashmir thanked the ISL club and invited them in March for a friendly fixture. — PTI