All posts tagged: East bengal

The cult hero who ended East Bengal’s 22-year wait

The cult hero who ended East Bengal’s 22-year wait

Published by Webster

When Youssef Ezzejjari signed with East Bengal FC, the Red & Gold faithful were cautiously optimistic. They had seen marquee strikers arrive in the City of Joy before, only to crumble under the crushing weight of expectation. Turns out, the footballing gods were on their side this time! As Emami East Bengal ended their agonizing wait to claim the Indian Super League title, the Spaniard who also represented Morocco at youth level, emerged not just as the top goal-scorer, but as the pulsating heart of a historic resurgence. “I cannot describe the emotions after that final whistle on the final day. We had a few intense weeks, but then the way we bounced back in the last game against Inter-Kashi was commendable. And the celebration after that with the fans, and in the locker room with the staff was simply amazing,” Youssef recalled in an exclusive conversation with The Bridge. That he would become a cult hero so soon was something not even he had imagined. “Since day one, the moment you arrive, you realise …

Bagan pullout of 7 players: Club knew Unity Cup dates on April 10, says AIFF

Bagan pullout of 7 players: Club knew Unity Cup dates on April 10, says AIFF

Published by Parlour News

Kolkata: Mohun Bagan Super Giant knew the dates of the Unity Cup in England on April 10 but it was only on May 20 that they informed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) that players would be released only for matches in the FIFA window, the federation said on Sunday. Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s celebrate during the match against East Bengal FC, in Kolkata. (PTI) Mohun Bagan also allowed players to complete the biometrics required for the UK visa on April 23 but asked them not to travel hours before the squad’s departure early on Sunday, AIFF has said. Because seven from Bagan pulled out, India left for the tournament in London with only 18 players. India will play Jamaica on May 27 and either Nigeria or Zimbabwe on May 30. This is the senior men’s team’s first tour of England since 2002. “An earlier communication of any reservations would have allowed us the time to make the necessary arrangements and ensure no player missed out on an important opportunity,” said Subrata Paul, AIFF’s director …

East Bengal win maiden ISL title

East Bengal win maiden ISL title

Published by Webster

Tears flowed, the Red and Goldscarves swirled in the air and decades of pain disappeared into one unforgettable night as East Bengal finally reclaimed their place at the summit of Indian football. Twenty-two long years after their last national league triumph, the Red-and-Gold Brigade were crowned champions of India after defeating Inter Kashi 2-1 in a nerve-shredding Indian Super League 2025-26 finale at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Thursday. When the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted into scenes of pure emotion. Players collapsed to the ground, fans embraced in disbelief and chants of “East Bengal, East Bengal” thundered around the packed arena. Mohammed Rashid emerged as the unlikely hero with the decisive winner in the 72nd minute after league top scorer Youssef Ezzejjari had brought East Bengal level early in the second half, cancelling out Alfred Planas’ 14th-minute strike for Inter Kashi with a 50th-minute goal of his own. The victory ensured East Bengal finished at the top of the ISL table with 26 points from 13 matches. Mohun Bagan Super Giant also won …

How a chaotic Kolkata Derby has left 4 contenders for the title

How a chaotic Kolkata Derby has left 4 contenders for the title

Published by Webster

4 min readMay 18, 2026 07:16 PM IST It took a long time for the 2025/26 season of the Indian Super League (ISL) to heave itself off the ground and while it’s feet continued to shiver under the weight of a bureaucratic mess, it somehow has provided a thriller of a title race that has gone down to the last day. A significant byproduct of this was a Kolkata derby that, for a change, actually mattered a lot at the top of the table, after which there are now four chief contenders for the ISL trophy: East Bengal, Mohun Bagan SG, Punjab FC and Mumbai City FC. With head-to-head record between teams being the first tie-breaker this season before goal-difference, a victory for either Bagan or East Bengal would’ve practically sealed the title for either side in the Kolkata Derby. It wasn’t to be. In front of a sold out crowd at the Salt Lake Stadium, the two sides went blow for blow for almost the entirety of the match. It all came to a …

Biggest East Bengal-Mohun Bagan derby in years with both fighting for ISL title

Biggest East Bengal-Mohun Bagan derby in years with both fighting for ISL title

Published by Webster

4 min readMay 17, 2026 07:30 AM IST It has taken six years but at long last, the Kolkata derby could actually be the match that decides the Indian Super League (ISL) crown, as opposed to being just a marketing pitch for the competition. Going into Sunday’s fixture at the Salt Lake Stadium, Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal are level on 22 points, second and third on the table respectively, after playing 11 games with the red and gold brigade ahead on goal difference. Effectively, though, the two Kolkata giants have the strongest chance at winning the title – provided one of them wins on Sunday – with current league leaders Bengaluru FC having already finished their 13 matches with 23 points. That, and the fact that Mohun Bagan have drawn twice in their last two matches, are among the many by-products of the heavily truncated and truly bizarre season that this has been in the ISL. The first of those two draws, against FC Goa, came after an inexplicable break of 20 …

Mohun Bagan turns to CAS over long-running Anwar Ali transfer dispute

Mohun Bagan turns to CAS over long-running Anwar Ali transfer dispute

Published by Webster

Mohun Bagan Super Giant has approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for the long-running Anwar Ali’s Transfer Saga with East Bengal and Delhi SC. Bagan decided to move to the Swiss court after a delay from AIFF’s Player Status Committee (PSC) in the re-hearing of this matter, which was scheduled for January 12. According to multiple reports, Bagan has appealed to CAS, stating, “At this moment, requesting CAS to hear the case directly as we do not have any interest in the AIFF mechanism.” “The present appeal is being filed against a decision of the AIFF Appeals Committee (“Appeals Committee”) issued on 20 December 2025, and which was notified to the Appellant on 26 December 2025 (“Appealed Decision”) [Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2],” The club wrote in its appeal. This whole drama was started in July 2024, when Anwar Ali made a unilateral contract termination with Mohun Bagan to sign with their rival club, East Bengal. But, MBSG claimed that the player was still under contract and the parties approached the AIFF’s PSC …

FIFPro urges ISL clubs to ‘respect players’ contractual entitlements’ amid salary cuts | Football News

FIFPro urges ISL clubs to ‘respect players’ contractual entitlements’ amid salary cuts | Football News

Published by Webster

The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) on Saturday urged the Indian Super League (ISL) clubs to “to respect players’ contractual entitlements” amid multiple reports of players in the league having to accept pay cuts. The league is scheduled to start on February 14, five months later than the usual schedule, which has led to clubs incurring heavy losses. It has also resulted in most players going for months without pay and, in the days since the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced the new start date for the league, multiple clubs have announced that players have agreed to take pay cuts for this season. “Many have been forced to rely on personal savings, take short-term contracts in state leagues, or seek alternative employment simply to support themselves and their families,” FIFPRO Asia/Oceania said in its official statement. “Despite these extraordinary challenges, players have continued to demonstrate Incredible professionalism. Alarmingly, FIFPRO Asia/Oceania has received recent reports that several clubs are pressuring contracted players into accepting salary reductions.” STATEMENT | @FIFPROAsiaOce calls on all Indian Super …

All 14 clubs confirm participation in truncated ISL season, end to limbo in sight | Football News

All 14 clubs confirm participation in truncated ISL season, end to limbo in sight | Football News

Published by Webster

All the 14 Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have confirmed the participation in the delayed 2025-26 season after writing to All India Football Federation (AIFF). The confirmation from the clubs would clear the uncertainty around the start of a truncated top-flight season starting on February 14. Earlier last week on January 6, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had announced that the ISL, which has been on hold due to the absence of a commercial partner, would start on February 14, with all the 14 clubs taking part in it. However, as reported by The Indian Express, only 10 clubs had confirmed by then and it was a verbal confirmation. But now all the clubs have formally confirmed their participation as per a PTI report. The top-tier ISL will feature 91 matches on a home-and-away basis. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey had earlier said that a Governing Council Board would be formed to manage the league and it would be “empowered to take all commercial decisions.” On Saturday, the AIFF had asked the clubs to send the details …

East Bengal crowned champions of inaugural SAFF Women’s Club Championship | Football News

East Bengal crowned champions of inaugural SAFF Women’s Club Championship | Football News

Published by Webster

East Bengal FC clinched the title of the inaugural edition of the SAFF Women’s Club Championship with a dominant 3-0 win over hosts APF FC in the final at the Dasrath Stadium on Saturday. Ugandan star striker Fazila Ikwaput scored a brace while India international Shilky Devi Hemam netted once to complete the flawless campaign for the Moshal girls. Fazila also won the golden boot with nine goals in five games. Anthony Andrews’ side scored 14 goals and conceded none in their five matches during the tournament. After playing a 0-0 draw in the group stage against the same opponents, East Bengal came determined to score early in the final and got their breakthrough in the 22nd minute. A long ball from Sarita Yumnam put APF defence under pressure and Damai headed the ball towards an unmarked Fazila who made no mistake in opening the goal charts. Shilky doubled East Bengal’s lead in the 35th minute with a brilliant header after receiving Ashalata Devi’s cross from the right flank. East Bengal scored within the first …

Inside the ISL clubs’ proposal to restart season: Owning the league, paying AIFF Rs 10 crore | Football News

Inside the ISL clubs’ proposal to restart season: Owning the league, paying AIFF Rs 10 crore | Football News

Published by Webster

An annual grant of Rs 10 crore to the apex body; the right to operate and manage the top-tier league; holding permanent majority shareholding; and conducting the league within 45 days of a formal handover of rights. The Indian Super League clubs on Friday came up with a formal proposal to restructure the country’s top division, recommending a club-owned model with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) retaining its role as a regulator. The proposal comes at a time when India’s domestic football pyramid has collapsed following the expiry of an agreement between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited, a Reliance Industries subsidiary. When the AIFF floated tenders to find new commercial partners, there were no takers. It is likely that the clubs’ plan will be discussed on Saturday during the AIFF’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday. However, it could face roadblocks after some members of the AIFF’s executive committee expressed reservations. According to PTI, committee member Avijit Paul said the proposal was ‘demeaning’, ‘unacceptable’ and ‘undermined the authority’ of AIFF. Given that the …