AIFF instructs Mahindra, EB to resolve transfer issue

By SUNDARI IYER

Mumbai

Aug. 28: The on-going transfer saga of two Mahindra United players, Steven Dias and N.D. Pradeep, has been prolonged till September 5 as the All India Football Federation on Thursday granted more time to Mahindra United and East Bengal to find a solution at an AIFF Players’ Status Committee.

Though the players are on contract with Mahindra United till 2009, they chose to sign for East Bengal for this season. The matter was referred to the status committee, It was decided that the clubs would be given time till September 5 to resolve the issue, otherwise Steven and Pradeep’s agreements with East Bengal would be considered null and void.

"I wanted to play for East Bengal but we don’t have a say in that. Both teams will decide and we will have to abide by that. If the decision is taken in favor of the Mahindra team then we don’t have any option but to play for them this season, after which I can shift if I want to as I have a two year contract with them," said Pradeep.

Mahindra United president Alan Durante is not too happy with the AIFF stand as he feels that the decision has been delayed. "The AIFF have unnecessarily delayed the process by eight days. They are my players and if I want them they stay they will, but if we reach an arrangement with the East Bengal team we will see what can be done."

Durante also said that the players would stay with Mahindra if the matter were not resolved before September 5. "Now it is up to East Bengal to approach me. The decision cannot be revealed right now, as there is no further stand, which has been taken. After the details are worked out we will surely let you know," Durante added.