CFL clubs want players’ safety ensured before playing league

KOLKATA: The clubs affiliated to the Indian Football Association are mostly open to the idea of having all the matches of the Calcutta Football League but only after all health, hygiene and safety measures are fully ensured, it was learnt from sources.
The Indian Football Association had written to all its 276 affiliated units earlier this month to seek their opinion about this season’s Calcutta Football League.The association had asked them to respond by May 17 and they have received replies from most of the units.
The fifth division of the Calcutta Football League starts in the final week of May in normal circumstances, subsequently followed by the other divisions. That is not possible rIght now.
One of the clubs also asked for medical insurances for all players.
“We will scrutinise all the replies after the lockdown gets over, speak with every division separately and then present the decisions to the governing body. I know there are financial constraints but I hope all the clubs will play in the league, especially after the IFA cleared their dues of three of the last five years in March. However, the Indian Football Association will first speak to sports minister Aroop Biswas for their go ahead and directions and also ensure all safety measures before matches are held,” said Indian Football Association secretary Joydeep Mukherjee. “I am hopeful of having the league in its entirety.”
Meanwhile, the Indian football Association has got approval from the overwhelming majority of their governing body members to shift the association’s annual general meeting from June to September.