West Bengal Sports Minister Uncovers Allegations of Corruption in Football Club
Serious Allegations of Corruption
On Thursday, Indranil Khan, the Sports Minister of West Bengal, raised serious concerns regarding various irregularities linked to the Diamond Harbour Football Club, which is associated with Abhishek Banerjee, a leader of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC).
Investigation into Allegations
Khan informed the media that an investigation is underway, emphasizing that unethical practices in football will not be tolerated. He stated, "Numerous irregularities and violations of match ethics have surfaced, including allegations of corruption, black money transactions, nepotism, and unethical match practices, such as referee manipulation and match-fixing. All these claims are currently under investigation."
Impact on Football's Reputation
The minister expressed that the Diamond Harbour FC has been exploited for corrupt activities, which he believes has tarnished the reputation of football and its players in West Bengal. He remarked, "This team has been misused for corrupt practices, which has not served justice to the sport or its athletes."
Political Interference in Football
Khan also accused the former TMC government of politicizing football, which he claims has negatively impacted Bengal's representation in the sport. He noted, "West Bengal is known for its passion for football. The previous TMC government has damaged the state's reputation and the overall sporting infrastructure by misusing Diamond Harbour FC."
He further stated that political interference and corruption have harmed football in Bengal. The minister assured that Kolkata Maidan is being liberated from "politics" and "corruption," with former players stepping in to rejuvenate the sport. "We will not tolerate any unethical match practices," Khan asserted.
AIFF to Look into Financial Irregularities
In June, Kalyan Chaubey, President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), announced that an investigation would be conducted into the financial and compliance irregularities associated with Diamond Harbour Football Club. He emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration between the central and state governments to foster sports development in West Bengal. Chaubey acknowledged that the issue had already been brought to attention by West Bengal Sports Minister Nisith Pramanik.