FIFA asks Mohun Bagan to pay their dues: Diamondstar and Gustavo finally served justice

SOME OLD GHOSTS have come back to bite Mohun Bagan. Two long-pending cases of unpaid dues have reached a verdict, and FIFA has imposed a hefty fine on the Federation Cup winners.

Okwy Okonkwo Diamondstar, an Afro-Australian defender, played for the Mariners in 2010. But at the end of his contract, about Rs 60 lakh of his salary was left unpaid by the Bagan officials. His multiple personal requests to clear his payment went unheard by the club officials.

Last summer, something similar happened to Brazilian centre back Gustavo Silva Conceição. He signed for Mohun Bagan ahead of the Calcutta Football League, but within a couple of months he was released from the club due to poor fitness levels. But a large part of his contract money was not paid to him.

Both players complained against Mohun Bagan at FIFA, who have ruled in their favour and asked the Kolkata-based club to pay up a sum of around Rs 2 crore including the players' due amount plus a hefty fine. 

Bagan will have to submit that amount over the next few days or they may have to face harsh disciplinary action. Failure to pay the sum on time may result in 6 points being deducted from them in the upcoming I-League season. 

Gustavo and Diamonstar are not the only players - Indian or foreigner - who have had financial disputes with Mohun Bagan. In the past, multiple Indian clubs have been involved in rows with players over unpaid dues. But there's little doubt that in order to adapt to the modern professionalism that football demands from top-tier clubs, Mohun Bagan officials will have to pay their dues and leave their antiquated ideas of cheeky trickery behind for good.