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ISL 2017: Legendary East Bengal coach Subhash Bhowmick slams AIFF officials

Former East Bengal manager Subhash Bhowmick has again courted controversy
Former East Bengal manager Subhash Bhowmick has again courted controversy

What's the story? 

Subhash Bhowmick is considered to be one of India's most famous and successful tacticians. His demeanour on and off the pitch had been a talking point during his entire managerial career.

Bhowmick has had many outbursts during press conferences in his time. Recently, during a condolence meet for former AIFF chief Priya Ranjan Das Munshi, the former East Bengal manager criticised the state of affairs of the AIFF and labelled the federation and certain officials as "pimps".

In case you didn't know...

Bhowmick has been vocal in his opinions against the AIFF in recent times due to the non-conclusion of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in the ISL. The veteran coach and former India international was last seen managing Calcutta Football League side Tollygunge Agragami. 

The heart of the matter 

Bhowmick has often been critical of the standards set by the ISL and talked at length about the board during the condolence meeting. He said, I think for the past 9 years had Priya da been okay, Bengal football wouldn’t have met such low standards and both Indian and Bengal football wouldn’t have been insulted by some pimps. The Federation officials have sold themselves to IMG-R and the ISL.

What next? 

Along with Bhowmick, many Bengal football personalities were present in the meeting to pay a tribute to Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi. Dasmunsi was an avid football enthusiast and led the AIFF for 20 years between 1988-2008. Bhowmick and the authorities also requested the federation to name a competition after Dasunsi. 

Author's take 

People related to the two Kolkata giants have always been strong in their resistance against the ISL. This incident of Bhowmick labelling the federation officials in a derogatory manner is just another sad episode in the quest for a unified football league.

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