Decision on Bagan’s fate postponed

Kolkata, Sep 14 (IANS) East Bengals title celebrations could be put on ice on Thursday after the Calcutta Football League (CFL) sub-committee failed to reach a conclusion on the penalty to be levied on Mohun Bagan for their Kolkata derby no-show.

A win against Mohammedan Sporting would have secured the red and gold brigade their seventh title on the trot irrespective of other results.

But with the CFL sub-committee deciding to meet again on September 20 to take a call on how many points will be deducted from Bagan's kitty or whether they will be asked to cough up a financial penalty, the Richard Dryden coached outfit will only be able to lay hands on the trophy if after their win the Mariners are held by Tollygunge Agragami in their rescheduled tie on the morrow.

"The CFL sub-committee will take a decision on the 20th. Officially East Bengal haven't been awarded the three points yet from the derby," IFA Secretary Utpal Ganguli said.

If the sub-committee feels that the matter is not within their jurisdiction, the disciplinary committee will take it over.

Currently, East Bengal are on pole position in the points table with 21 points from seven matches. After Mohammedan Sporting, they play Aryan on Sunday in their last league engagement.

Bagan are second with 18 points from seven matches. They play Mohammedan Sporting in their last game.