AIFF reduces Sen's suspension; Bagan coach will be back for last 2 games

THE AIFF HAS reduced Sanjoy Sen's suspension from 8 matches to 4 matches following his unconditional apology for his infamous "sold out" comment and an appeal from Mohun Bagan today.

However, the coach who led the Mariners to their first league title in 13 years last season will still be absent from the all-important Kolkata Derby at Siliguri on Saturday as well as the Shillong Lajong match away from home, since he has only served 2 games of that suspension. He will be back at the touchline on 9th April when the Green and Maroons play DSK Shivajians at home.

Along with a reduction of the suspension, his fine, originally Rs 10 lakhs, has been brought down to Rs 5 lakhs.

The reduction to the ban comes after an almost universal cry from the Indian football fraternity about the punishment being too harsh on the Mohun Bagan coach when compared to the offense he committed. The Mohun Bagan fans held rallies against it and carried out an innovative protest where 10,000 fans showed up wearing Sanjoy Sen masks at the Barasat Stadium.

Although the Mohun Bagan fans and officials will be relieved that their coach will not be banished from the sidelines for the rest of their league season, many will be disappointed that he will still have to miss out on being in the bench for the Kolkata Derby, which is becoming a pressure-cooker clash due to its significance in the I-League title race.