INDIAN FOOTBALL NEWS 2020 (APRIL)

INDIAN FOOTBALL LOST AN ICONIC FOOTBALLER: PADMASREE CHUNI GOSWAMI PASSES AWAY
KFC NEWS DESK-30.4.20 : India lost one of it's iconic sports personality today. One of the legend of Indian football Chuni(Subimal) Goswami passed away in a south Kolkata hospital following a cardiac arrest at around 5pm leaving behind his wife, son a nemureous fans and followers at the age of 82. He was suffering from Diabetics and kidney deceases since long.
AWARDS FOR CHUNI GOSWAMI:
* 1962: Best Striker of Asia
* 1962: Arjuna Award
* 1983: Padmasree Award
* 2005: Mohun Bagan Ratna Award

Chuni Goswami probably was the only footballers who played for Mohun Bagan all along his football carrier apart from the international matches. Chuni Goswami joined Mohun Bagan junior team in the year 1946 when he was 8 years old under the guidance of Balaidas Chatterjee and later joined senior team in the year 1954.

He played in Mohun Bagan till 1968. During his long association with Green and Maroon he was the captain from 1960- 1964. Chuni Goswami lead Mohun Bagan in the historic Platinum jubilee year in 1964. Incidentally, he remains as the only footballer to lead Mohun Bagan for such a long period.

Chuni Goswami was even successful in the Derby match against arch rival East Bengal. He scored in the Durand semi final in 1957 and in the Kolkata CFL in the year 1963, 1964 and in 1967 against East Bengal.

Chuni dominated in the international sphere dawning the Indian national colour in a number of important matches which includes Rome Olympic in 1960, Asian Games in 1958 and 1962 . He played his first international match against the Olympic team of China in the year 1956. He was the captain of gold winning Indian football team in the year 1962 Asian games at Jakarta and runner-up at 1964 Asian Cup at Tel Aviv. Chuni Goswami played for Indian national team from 1956 to 1964 scored 11 important goals.

Chuni Goswami was the Director of Tata Football Academy from 1986-1990.Chuni Goswami was a successful cricketer apart from his long tenure in football arena.He represent Bengal in 46 first class matches from 1962-1973 which includes important Ranji Trpohy matches.

A SHORT PROFILE - STAT - LALTU CHAKRABORTY
Subimal Goswami popularly known as 'CHUNI' Goswami to the Football lovers of India as well as Kolkata in particular used to play normaly in the Left inside position having immaculate Ball control.His game sense was superb.He could dribble past number of players of the opponent side comfortable and knew when the Ball had to be released to his co - players for onward movement. He is the greatest player of all time in Indian Football History

BORN: Chuni Goswami,the prolific goal getter of Indian football was born in 15th January in the year 1938 at Kishoregunj District of BANGLADESH (Before independence of India) and now at Jodhpore Park, South Kolkata

FATHER :Late Promothonath Goswami

Height :5'- 10".

POSITION: Striker (Left inside and Right inside both)
School : Thirthopati Institution of Kolkata.
College : Kumar Asutosh Institution,Kolkata.
School Football Coach : Late Sibdas Banerjee.
FIRST FOOTBALL COACH : Late Balaidas Chatterjee

KOLKATA FOOTBALL LEAGUE CLUBS:
Junior Mohunbagan Club:1946 - 1954
Sr. Mohunbagan Club :1954 - 1968 (Five Times Captain of Mohunbagan Club / from 1960 - 64)

CAREER
1953 :Played for IFA XI in an Exhibition Match at Ranchi before joined any Clubs of Kolkata League
1954 :Big Club Debut- For Mohunbagan Vs Eastern Railway(29.05.1954) 1 Goal in 3-0 Win
1955 :First Foreign Tour for Mohunbagan - 22.02.1956:Indonesia,Singapore, Hongkong Tour
1955 :First played for Mohunbagan in International Match - Vs Indonesian Team P.S.P.FC in Padang, Result 4-4
1955 :At the age of 17 played for Bengal Santosh Trophy Team.Beagal Champion by beating Maisore
1956 :First played for India Team in 1956 against China Olympic Team. Won 1-0 v
1957 :All India University Football:Won against Bombay University 1-0 scored by him was a captain
1958 :AIFF player of the Year

. INDIA CAPS
1958 Best Footballer Award by Kolkata Veterance Sports Club
1958 Tokyo Asian Games Indian Footballer
1960 Rome Olympic Games Indian Footballer
1962 Gold Winner Indian Team as a Captain in Djakarta Asian Games
1962 Best Striker of Asia Award
1963 Silver Winner of India Team as a Captain in Tel Aviv Asian Cup
1963 Arjuna Award winner of India Govt.
1983 Padmasree award winner of India Govt.

CAPTAIN NATIONAL TEAM : 1964 ASIA CUP and MARDECA FOOTBALL 1961 and 1964.

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
1986-89 : Director of TATA FOOTBALL ACADEMY,JHARKHAND STATE
2005 : SERIF of Kolkata Corporation
2005 : Mohunbagan RATNA

Other than Football: He was the Captain of Bengal Cricket Team in Ranji Trophy

Biography: KHELTE - KHELTE



FINANCIAL SUPPORT START BY FIFA FOLLOWING COVID-19
FIFA MEDIA RELEASE-27.4.20: FIFA will release all operational funding due to member associations for the years 2019 and 2020 in the coming days as the first step of a relief plan to assist the football community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This measure will mean that a total of around USD 150 million will be distributed among the 211 national football governing bodies around the world.

“The pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges for the entire football community and, as the world governing body, it is FIFA’s duty to be there and support the ones that are facing acute needs,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “This starts by providing immediate financial assistance to our member associations, many of which are experiencing severe financial distress.

"This is the first step of a far-reaching financial relief plan we are developing to respond to the emergency across the whole football community. Together with our stakeholders, we are we assessing the losses and we are working on the most appropriate and effective tools to implement the other stages of this relief plan.
“I would like to thank the chairpersons of the FIFA Development Committee, Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, and the FIFA Finance Committee, Alejandro Domínguez, for their commitment and urgent approval of these measures by their committees."

Under normal circumstances, FIFA’s member associations would have only received the full amount of the contribution upon fulfillment of specific criteria. Instead, FIFA is now transferring this amount as an active support to help safeguard football across all member associations.
This financial relief plan is possible thanks to the strong financial position that FIFA has been able to consolidate over the past four years. The next stages of the plan are currently being finalised and will be communicated in due course.





QUESS PART AWAY WITH EAST BENGAL AT A PREMATURE STAGE
26.4.20: Quess Corporation finally part away with East Bengal at a premature stage. The relation between Quess and East Bengal likely to end on 31st of May, but 'Force Majeure Clause' was applied which ultimately leads to the end of the financial contract between East Bengal and Quess Corp. Incedentially, All India Football Fedaration declared the termination of the current season (2019-2020) following Covit-19 some days back.

The decision of Quess will effect the footballers, coaching team and Support staffs a lot as it was decided that Quess will not going to pay the salary for the month of May. It was intimated to the footballers by way of email by the officials of Quess Corporation. It is a big blow for the footballers who have a long term financial contract with East Bengal. East Bengal, have a national as well as international footballers who have a long term contract. Even the foreigh recruits are confined at Kolkata now unable to reach to their home town.

Meanwhile the FPAI involved in the matter as they wrote in their twitter "No club can prematurely terminate contracts with players because of the pandemic. There has to be a mutual understanding and the player must agree to it. "We are in touch with all the players and will take up this issue on a priority basis with the global stakeholders."

No club can prematurely terminate contracts with players because of the pandemic. There has to be a mutual understanding and the player must agree to it. We are in touch with all the players and will take up this issue on a priority basis with global stakeholders @FIFPro

— PFA India (@FPAI) April 26, 2020

East Bengal club have already started to build up a new team for the coming season without the help of Quess as it was fixed that the tie up with the financial partner ends on May.




AIFF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DECLARES MOHUN BAGAN AS I LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
KFC NEWS DESK-21.4.20: The Executive Committee of AIFF finally approves the recommendation of the League Committee which was decided in a Video conference on the 18th of April.

The League Committee were forced to recommend the I League as closed after discussing various important issues regarding the I League and other footballing event in view of pandemic Covit 19 issues. The League Committee also recommends Mohun Bagan as the champions of the current edition of I League which was approved by the Executive Committee. The Executive Commiittee also came into a conclusion that there willbe no relegation and the remaining prize money will be divided among ten clubs.

Under the circumstances, AIFF Executive Committee taking into consideration advisories issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as well as various State Governments and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. AIFF COMMITTEE FINALLY APPROVED THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATION
1. The 2019-20 season stays concluded.
2. Mohun Bagan are declared the Hero I-League champion for 2019-20.
3. The remaining prize money in the Hero I-League 2019-20 (apart from the champion’s prize money) will be equally divided among the remaining 10 participating clubs.
4. However, there will be no relegation, and also no individual prize money for the Hero I-League 2019-20 season.
5. AIFF waits to discuss with the Asian Football Confederation to understand the feasibility of organising a shorter duration tournament next season with 2nd division clubs for qualification to the Hero I-League 2020-21.
6. All youth leagues in the current season -- the Hero Sub-Junior League, the Hero Junior League, the Hero Elite League, and the U-17 Khelo India Girls League – stay concluded, and will start afresh from 2020-21 season.
7. There will be an extension of the deadline for submission of the requisite documentation for the AIFF Academy Accreditation process after the ongoing lockdown is revoked.




FIFA CLAPS THE HUMANITY HEROES
FIFA MEDIA RELEASE: 19.4.20 To show appreciation for the efforts made and risks braved by healthcare workers and other professionals who are giving their all to ensure society continues to function in the face of the coronavirus, football stars both past and present have come together to pay tribute to humanity's heroes.

Across the globe, staff and volunteers at medical facilities have been risking their lives on a daily basis to support humankind. Some have, sadly, paid the ultimate price. People working or volunteering in law enforcement, pharmacies, shops, warehouses, delivery services, public transport, and safety and security have also been playing a key role in protecting our way of life.

To all of these heroic people: football thanks you, football remembers you and football supports you.

Fifty of football's biggest stars have all provided their support to humanity's heroes by applauding their efforts in taking the fight to the coronavirus: Holger Badstuber, David Beckham, Bhaichung Bhutia, Lucy Bronze, Gianluigi Buffon, Cafu, Fabio Cannavaro, Iker Casillas, Deyna Castellanos, Giorgio Chiellini, Charlyn Corral, El Hadji Diouf, Youri Djorkaeff, Han Duan, Magdalena Eriksson, Samuel Eto'o, Pernille Harder, Javier Hernández, Luis Hernández, Kaká, Harry Kane, Carli Lloyd, Harry Maguire, Diego Maradona, Marta, Vivianne Miedema, Ajara Nchout, Michael Owen, Mesut Özil, Norma Palafox, Pavel Pardo, Park Ji-Sung, Pelé, Gerard Piqué, Alexia Putellas, Sergio Ramos, Nicole Reigner, Wendie Renard, Roberto Carlos, James Rodríguez, Ronaldo, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Virginia Torrecilla, Yaya Touré, Marco van Basten, Daniëlle van de Donk, Ivan Vicelich, Arturo Vidal, Javier Zanetti and Zinedine Zidane.

"To recognise the risks that doctors, nurses and other essential workers are having to take on a daily basis, football wants to show its support," said Carli Lloyd. "They are on the front line of the coronavirus battle, working as a team to defend us, to protect us and to keep us healthy. It is thanks to their dedication and professionalism, supported by everyone else's absolute commitment to following the rules of each national health authority, that we will win."
"As footballers, we are used to receiving applause, but this time, we have the opportunity to show our appreciation for the many people who are risking their lives to protect ours," added David Beckham. "You are humanity's heroes and we want to show that all of football supports you and everything that you do to defend all of us."




LEAGUE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS MOHUN BAGAN AS I LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
18.4.20: All India Football Federation in a meeting through video conferencing chaired by Subrata Dutta, Senior Vice President, All India Football Federation and Chairman, League Committee recomend certain important matters following the lock down imposed due to Covit 19 pandemic.




Besides Mr. Subrata Dutta, Chairman of the League Committee and AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das and League CEO Mr. Sunando Dhar, Mr. Lalnginglova Hmar, Mr. Souter Vaz, Mr. Anil Kumar, Mr. BK Roka, Mr. Chirag Tanna and Mr. Rochak Langer attended the meeting; while Mrs. Priti Srivastava attended the meeting as an invitee. Ms. Swati Kothari, GM (S&O) and International Relations was also present.

The recomendation are as follows:
1. The Committee recommended that the 2019-20 season be deemed to be concluded.
2. That Mohun Bagan be declared as the Hero I-League champion for the 2019-20 season as they stand atop current standings in the Hero I-League until the point of suspension on March 14, 2020.
Furthermore, Mohun Bagan with 39 points from 16 matches enjoy a point difference which is insurmountable by any other team even if all other matches had been played and concluded as a normal course of action.
3. With regards to the remaining clubs, and noting the concerns expressed by many of them in writing, the League Committee recommended the remaining prize money (apart from the champion’s prize money) be equally divided among the remaining 10 participating clubs.
4. The Committee also recommended that there be no relegation from the Hero I-League 2019-20 season.
5. In reference to the Hero 2nd Division, the Committee waits for approval over regulatory matters from the AIFF Executive Committee and the Asian Football Confederation to understand the feasibility of organising a shorter duration tournament next season for qualification to the Hero I-League 2020-21.
6. Meanwhile, with nearly 500 matches yet to completed in various youth leagues, the Committee felt it would be an injustice for kids and youth players to be compromising with social distancing, and hence, recommended to stand by the conclusion of all youth leagues in the current season – the Hero sub-junior League, the Hero Junior League, the Hero Elite League, and the U-17 Khelo India Girls League – and start afresh from 2020-21 season.
7. Understanding the current crisis, the Committee felt it needed to be flexible as per AIFF Academy Accreditation is concerned -- as the primary objective is to increase participation of clubs and players. Hence, the Committee recommended for an extension of the deadline for submission of the requisite documentation after the ongoing lockdown is revoked.

BAR PUJA CANCELLED IN KOLKATA MAIDAN
12.4.20: The traditional 'BAR PUJA', one of the oldest rituals in Kolkata maidan remain cancelled following the out break of COVID-19 pandemic since last month.

The football clubs of Kolkata maidan worship the goal post on the first day of Bengali new year before the start of the season. The General Secretary of Mohun Bagan, Srinjay Bose in a statement said, "It's very unfortunate that we need to call off the customary ritual that we follow on Bengali New Year's Day every year. But in present condition safety of our fans, colleagues is our topmost priority and keeping that in mind, we had to take this hard decision. We sincerely hope that tough time will be over and football will be back in Maidan (Kolkata) very soon.”

East Bengal Club has also cancelled 'BAR PUJA' on the day of Bengali new year. But they are planning to celebrate the occasion once the lock down period is called off.




AIFF and LOC Statement on the postponement of FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020
AIFF Press Release - 4.4.20: The All India Football Federation and Local Organising Committee are supportive of the decision by FIFA to postpone FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. We agree that this has been made with the highest regard for public health, and the participating teams, host cities, staff and visiting fans, and keeps the best interests of everyone in mind. We were, of course, looking forward to hosting the Tournament in November this year, but at the same time, we are mindful of all those around the world and in our country potentially impacted by our decisions. For us at the moment, the primary concern is the health and wellbeing of every stakeholder involved in the Tournament. We don’t want to take any risk that is detrimental to our community before it is clear that there is no threat to people’s health due to this pandemic.
The LOC and AIFF will work with FIFA to determine the most suitable dates for the Tournament. We look forward to hosting a successful Tournament in the near future.


FIFA POSTPONED U 17 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
3.4.20: FIFA along with AIFF and Local Organising Committee finally decided to postponed the U 17 Women's World Cup 2020 following the deadly Corona Virus which hit globally in the recent few months. The tournament is schedule from 2nd November to 21st November at the five venews (Ahmedabad, Navi Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar and GGuwahati) in India. In a press statement FIFA stated that the new dates will be notified in due course.


FIFA POSTPONED UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL MATCHES
FIFA MEDIA RELEASE-3.4.20: The FIFA-Confederations working group which was recently established by the Bureau of the FIFA Council to address the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and which includes the FIFA administration and secretary generals and top executives from all confederations, has unanimously approved a series of recommendations following its first meeting, which was organised via conference call today.

FIFA would like to thank the positive contributions and cooperation of all confederations’ representatives and to highlight the spirit of unity, solidarity and mutual understanding which culminated in the adoption of these decisions. FIFA also reiterates that health must always be the first priority and the main criteria in any decision-making process, especially in these challenging times.

The working group made the following recommendations to the Bureau:
Concerning the men’s international match calendar:
** To postpone all international matches due to be played during the upcoming June 2020 window; and ** To organise bilateral discussions with confederations concerning 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in order to finalise a revised match schedule pending health and safety developments.
Concerning the women’s international match calendar: ** To postpone all international matches due to be played during the upcoming June 2020 window; ** To include the new dates of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in the women’s international match calendar; and
**To create a sub-working group on the women’s international match calendar to consider potential changes to the calendar and dates of postponed FIFA final tournaments.
Concerning FIFA competitions:
**To postpone the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Panama/Costa Rica 2020 - originally scheduled for August/September 2020 - and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020 - originally scheduled for November 2020. New dates will be identified; and
**To agree that a decision concerning the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2020 - scheduled for September 2020 - shall be made by the end of April 2020, and dates for a potential postponement shall already be considered.
Concerning the postponed Men’s Olympic Football Tournament (preliminary and final competitions of the tournament):
**To keep the eligibility criteria originally foreseen (players born on or after 01.01.1997 and three additional players).
Concerning football regulatory matters:
**To support the work of the FIFA-led task force on transfer matters (composed of all key football stakeholders – confederations, member associations, leagues, clubs and players) in order for guidelines and recommendations to be issued as soon as possible.
**Creation of a global support fund for football:
** To appoint one person per confederation to coordinate on this topic together with FIFA, with the working group being kept informed of developments.
**The FIFA-Confederations working group will continue to hold discussions on a regular basis as the situation evolves.





AIFF CONTRIBUTE TO PM CARES FUND
1.4.20: All India Football Federation today decided to contribute a sum of Rs. 25 lakhs to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s PM CARES Fund.
While interacting Praful Patel, President AIFF said, “The love, care and support from countrymen has provided us motivation all throughout. Hence, now is the time to pay back our country in whatever manner we can. We need to stand together and help each other hoping to overcome the crisis.”
AIFF have suspended all footballing activities including I League till furthur notice.