East Bengal to play in Indian Super League: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday confirmed that East Bengal will participate in the Indian Super League (ISL) from the upcoming season.

Mamata Banerjee was keen for the red-and-gold’s foray into the ISL and the state government was helping out in roping in an investor.

“The problem has now been solved. Now East Bengal will play in ISL,” Mamata Banerjee was quoted as saying by Goal.com.

“Mohun Bagan had joined ISL after an arrangement but East Bengal were trying for a very long time to play the ISL amidst the pandemic and that will finally happen now,” Mamata Banerjee added.

Their arch-rivals Mohun Bagan have already joined the top-tier ISL by forming a new entity with reigning champions ATK.

The 2020-21 ISL is scheduled to be held from November to March in a single venue in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. Goa and Kerala have emerged as frontrunners to host the lucrative event with the former more likely to get the nod.

The venue for the 2020-21 season is set to be announced on August 7.

In October, a virtual ISL workshop will be conducted and the clubs will be “presented with all the details, rules and regulations” regarding the event under the present circumstances.

The organizers also said that the league will be held in India after a club representative raised the possibility of taking it abroad in view of the current situation in the country.