East Bengal Club wins a moral victory in the contract war

Monday, July 23, 2012 Report by Sandipan Chakraborty

A few months back, it was the final match of the season, a match which East Bengal needed to win to clinch the CFL 2011-12 crown for the 33rd time. But, something was more important to the supporters of Red and Gold. Something which had been pricking them like a thorn for a some months before that match. Tolgay Ozbey, the striker whom each and every person wearing the East Bengal colours adopted as their son was about to make a decision. A decision between selfishness and duty. 


 
Tolgay Ozbey gave smiles to many East Bengal supporters. He scored 4 goals in the final match of the season and every fanatics of Red and Gold were busy celebrating their championship. But, something was wrong. The adopted son did not tell his decision. He chose to rather surprise by abondoning his once family and reuniting with a community which his previous family considers as their mortal enemy. 
 
Thus, the once beloved son was lost, and his selfish actions ahead of duty was prominent. But, was this necessary? the cry of millions of people? the betrayal of trust and love? the constant lies of staying when the decision was already made? We cannot comment, but we can only say that it was not ideal. 
 
When all hopes were lost and a dirty sense of betrayal was creeping in, East Bengal officials dropped a bomb. A bomb which threatened to kill the sudden urge of earning a huge amount of money and getting sold compared to earning respect. East Bengal claimed that Tolgay was still their player as he had signed the voucher from them and they still had the token of Tolgay. Thus, the contract he signed with Mohun Bagan is invalid.


 
The Australian then called a press conference where he openly criticized the East Bengal officials stating that he did not sign any voucher and that the signature might be a forged one. A couple of months of dates by the IFA and East Bengal's case in a court followed that press-conference. But, not until July 23, 2012 when the footballing fraternity of the city was made to know the future of the Australian.
 
This is the verdict which was given by the IFA:
 
1) Tolgay Ozbey would have to pay East Bengal his one-month's salary ($ 18,450) and send a letter of apology to both his former club and IFA in order to procure his player's registration token. After this it would be upon the discreetion of East Bengal to allow him play for Mohun Bagan.

2)  He was also asked to submit a fine of Rs 5 lakh to IFA for misguiding both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan

3) IFA has requested East Bengal to withdraw the case against the Australian at the city civil court and return the token after getting the letter from the player

So, after a couple of months of drama and constant verbal attacks by Mohun Bagan to tarnish the image of East Bengal club, it has been proved that it was East Bengal who had been following the rules properly and that the word "Jocchor" by Mohun Bagan president Tutu Bose was nothing but a wrong opinion from a man who doesnt observe a situation before commenting.
 
It is a moral victory for East Bengal and for all those supporters whose hearts were shattered by an individual for the greed of money. Today, the East Bengal supporters can truely be proud as it has been proved again that East Bengal never does anything out of the rule book and that their actions speak a lot louder than words.