Prasun criticizes Bagan and AIFF officials for sorry state of club and Indian football

FORMER FOOTBALLER and incumbent member of parliament Prasun Banerjee has once again taken a dig at his former club as well as the country's football governing body, saying both have completely failed in their duties.

Speaking to journalists at an event, he expressed his concern about the sponsor situation at Mohun Bagan. The defending champions of I-League, who happen to be the most popular football club in India, do not have a sponsor at the moment; and they are engaged in a lawsuit with their former sponsors USL over due payments. Banerjee said,

"I don't believe if ten [former] footballers approach a corporate house they won't sponsor Mohun Bagan. But they don't call us at the club. As a member of parliament, I can try too and it will be treated with importance by everyone. But do the club officials want my help?... I hear every day, that footballers are not being paid, the practice has been shut down... this is a shame."

Prasun Banerjee, a midfielder during his playing career, spent 9 years at Mohun Bagan and represented India in 49 matches over 11 years. Brother of the legendary Indian footballer and coach PK Banerjee, he has been vocal about the role AIFF has been playing in recent times. He once again called out the Indian FA for the languishing state of the I-League, which has been hit by the withdrawal of 3 clubs within the same year,

"The Federation has bowed its head to ISL. They shut down the Federation Cup. I constantly campaigned for its revival. The AIFF president [Praful Patel] is responsible for this sorry situation."

A few days ago AIFF had announced that the Federation Cup has been brought back, as a month-long knockout tournament with double leg rounds played in home-away format.