INDIAN FOOTBALL NEWS 2020 (MARCH)

PRITAM & PRANOY CONTRIBUTED IN CORONA RELIEF FUND
31.3.20: After Baichung Bhutia and Manoranjan Bhattacharjee, Indian national team central defender Pritam Kotal came forward to contribute in the Corona Virus relief fund. The Indian defender contributed 50,000/- to the West Bengal Chief Minister's fund.
Mean while, midfielder Pranoy Halder helping the underprivileged kids at the Barrackpore Mangal Pandey Football Coaching Camp with food, or food items to come out of the crisis. Pronay along with their friends are distributing basic food items to the station-dwellers, and others who stay outside. Pranoy Halder also donated 20,000/- West Bengal Chief Minister's fund.





AIFF LIKELY TO DECLARE I LEAGUE AS CANCELLED
30.3.20: The All India Football Federation discussing with the I League playing clubs regarding the possibilities if they have to declare and cancel the remaining matches of the current edition of I League. According to the sources AIFF will decide finally regarding the fate of I League after the withdrawal of lock down on the 14th of April. AIFF would need a total of five weeks to complete the season. The season will likely to close at 31st of May.

Mean while some of the I League playing clubs have suggested to the AIFF that cancelling the season would be the best solution.

Mohun Bagan are at the top of the I League table with East Bengal(23 points from 16 matches) and Punjab FC(23 points from 16 matches) following them. Mohun Bagan are with 39 points from 16 matches with no other teams can challenge them. AIFF are also planning to split the prize money and to stop the relegation and promotion for the 2019-20 season.




BAICHUNG OFFER SHELTER FOR MIGRANT WORKERS
30.3.20: Baichung Bhutia, the former Indian captain are providing shelter to the migrant workers of Sikkim who have no other option following the 21 days lock down to combact with Corona virus. In a massage the former Indian captain said, "along with United Sikkim Football Club, he would like to offer shelter to those in need in my newly constructed building in Lumsey, Tadong. His building can provide as many as 100 workers.

Migrant workers of unorganised sectors, desperate to return home, have been badly hit after the lock down was imposed from midnight on Tuesday.Baichun further added that not a single case of corona is found positive in Sikkim till now. So migrant workers are safe from corona. He is in touch with the local administration to arrange for medical facilities.




KOLKATA CLUBS CONTRIBUTE IN CORONA RELIEF FUND
29.3.20: : The football in Kolkata maidan are suspended for an indefinite period following lock down in order to combat with the deadly Corona Virus. Unlike others, the ground and canteen staffs of Kolkata maidan are in a difficult situation in their daily life. These staffs worked tireless throughout the season to prepare the grounds and fulfill the necessary requirement.



MANORANJAN BHATTACHARJEE IS THE FIRST INDIAN FOOTBALLER WHO CONTRIBUTED HIS ONE MONTH PENSION TO CHIEF MINISTER'S CORONA RELIEF FUND
25.3.20: : The top clubs of Kolkata maidan East Bengal and Mohun Bagan decided to contibute an amount to the relief fund of Government of West Bengal's Chief Minister fund to combat Corona Virus. Mohun Bagan decided to contribute a sum of 20 lakhs while East Bengal will donate a minimum amount of 30 lakhs in the relief fund. Meanwhile Aryan Club (a 100 years old club) announced that they will donate a sum of 2 lakhs to the Chief Ministers fund.

East Bengal club today came forward to help the ground and canteen staffs of the different clubs of Kolkata maidan when they distributed food grain and vegetables during the lock down in the country. The clubs are shut down due to deadly virus and people are in real difficult situation in their daily life.



END OF A GOLDEN ERA IN INDIAN FOOTBALL: P K BANERJEE PASSES AWAY
20/3/2020 - TRIBUTE TO PK BANERJEE: The legendary footballer and coach of Indian football Pradip Kumar Banerjee passes away at a city hospital in Kolkata after a prolonged illness. Pradip Banerjee better known as P K Banerjee was truely a successful footballer and coach seved Indian football for decades died at the age of 83 leaving behind his two daughters, brother Prasun Banerjee(ex footballer and M.P.) and long list of fanatics. He was suffering from Pneumonia, Parkinson’s disease, dementia and heart problem was in a life support system for the last two weeks.



Born in Jalpaiguri, P K Banerjee played represented in Santosh Trophy for Bihar at the young age of 15, from where he conquered Indian football with his footballing skill,knowledge and passion. Pradip Banerjee scored 65 international goals in 84 appearance for the national team.


PROFILE OF PRADIP KUMAR BANERJEE
*Joined Aryan Club, Kolkata in 1954

*Joined Eastern Railway , Kolkata in 1955

*Debut in Indian National Football team in 1955 in Quadrangular tournament in Dacca.

*Played in three Asian Games 1958 Tokyo, 1962 Jakarta(winner of Gold Medal), and 1966 in Bangkok.

*Represent India in 1956 Melbrone Olympics.

*Captain of Indian National Team in 1960 Olympic at Rome.

*Played in Merdeka Tournament at Kualalampur in 1959 (silver medal), 1965 and in 1965 (Bronze medal).

Pradip Kumar Banerjee was a successful coach and Technical Directer managed East Bengal, Mohun Bagan as well as Indian National Football team for long. Pradip Banerjee started his coaching carrier in the year 1972 for East Bengal and later joined Mohun Bagan. He was responsible of first even triple crown winner of Mohun Bagan, when he bagged the honour of winning IFA Sheild, Durand and Rovers Cup. He later joined Tata Football Academy as Technical Director.

Pradip Banerjee was the recipent of PADMASREE(1990)and ARJUNA AWARD(1961) and was awarded with FIFA ORDER OF MERIT, the highest honour given by FIFA in the year 2004.

All India Football Federation condoles the death of former India Captain, Coach and Technical Director Pradip Kumar Banerjee. In his massage Praful Patel, the President of the All India Football Federation said, “It’s sad to hear that Pradip-da, one of India’s Greatest Footballers, is no more. His contribution to Indian Football will never be forgotten. I share the grief.”

AIFF Flag is kept half-mast at the AIFF Headquarters, Football House in Dwarka, as a mark of respect to the legendary footballer.



ALL I LEAGUE MATCHES SUSPENDED TILL THE END OF MARCH
14.3.20: The All India Football Fedaration finally suspended all the football matches conducted by them till 31st of March. In a Press Release AIFF stated "Adhering to the advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and directives from several State Governments, all footballing activities under the aegis of AIFF stay suspended till March 31, 2020."

Earlier AIFF postponed the Kolkata Derby which was schuduled on 15th of March between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan after Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee in a meeting at the Secretariat asked for postponement of I-league football matches in Kolkata till 31st March due to the threat of Corana Virus.
The AIFF statement furthur stated, "All Hero Second Division, Hero Youth Leagues, Golden Baby Leagues, as well as, National Competitions also stay suspended with immediate effect."




BREAKING NEWS: THE I LEAGUE DERBY ON THE 15TH OF MARCH BETWEEN EAST BENGAL AND MOHUN BAGAN AT YUBABHARATI KRIANGAN, KOLKATA BEING POSTPONED BY AIFF. THE NEW DATE OF THE MATCH WILL BE INTIMATED IN DUE COURSE.

I LEAGUE MATCHES BEHIND CLOSE DOOR
13.3.20: The All India Football Federation after the meeting with all the I League playing clubs finally decided R-E-A-D . M-O-R-E

SUNDAY DERBY STILL NOT CONFIRMED
The I League Derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan which was scheduled on the 15th of March, Sunday likely to be postponed. Though we have wait for some more time for the confirmation. In a meeting at the State Secretariat, Nabannya with the representatives of different sports organisation the Hon'ble Chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has asked for postponement of I-league football matches in Kolkata till 31st March due to the threat of Corana Virus.
Earlier in a meetin AIFF declared that the remaining I League matches will be played behind closed door.
WORLD WIDE EFFECT IN FOOTBALL FOR CORONAVIRUS
13.03.2020: FIFA and AFC : FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation have agreed to postpone Asian World Cup qualifying matches in March and June.

Champions League : Valencia v Atalanta (March 10) and Paris St Germain v Borussia Dortmund (March 11) took place in empty stadiums. Barcelona v Napoli and Bayern Munich v Chelsea (both March 18) will be played without fans.

Europa League : Manchester United v LASK and Wolverhampton Wanderers v Olympiakos Piraeus, both on March 12, will be played without fans.

UEFA has postponed two ties after one side, Spain’s Getafe, refused to travel to Italy and another, AS Roma, said they had been denied permission to travel to Spain.

IN UK - The Football Association, Premier League, EFL and Barclays FA Women's Super League and FA Women's Championship collectively agree to postpone the professional game in England until 3 April at the earliest. Manchester City’s match against Arsenal on March 11 was postponed because players from the London club had contact with the owner of Greek side Olympiakos, who has contracted the virus

IN SCOTTLAND : The remainder of the Scottish football season is postponed indefinitely. Scottish Premiership, Scotland – games going ahead this weekend, ban on gatherings over 500 people in place from Monday, March 16 (March 12)

IN WALES : Domestic football at all levels in Wales is suspended until at least 4 April due to coronavirus.

SPAIN : LA LIGA – suspended for at least two weeks (FROM March 12). Spain’s Copa del Rey final between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad scheduled for April 18 in Seville was postponed.

ITALY : SERIE-A - suspended until April 3 ( FROM March 9)

FRANCE : Ligue 1- All games to take place behind closed doors until April 15 (FROM March 10). RC Strasbourg v PSG was postponed. All Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 games until April 15 will be played without fans.

GERMANY : Bundesliga - All games to take place behind closed doors (FROM March 12). An international friendly between Germany and Italy (March 31) in Nuremberg will take place without fans. RB Leipzig v SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund v Schalke 04 (both March 14) will also be played in empty stadiums.

HOLLAND : Eredivisie – suspended for two weeks (FROM March 12). The friendly match between Netherlands and Spain, scheduled for March 29 in Amsterdam, has been canceled. Dutch national team have canceled their Euros warm-up matches — against United States on March 26 and Spain three days later.

USA : MLS – suspended until April 11 (FROM March 12)

PORTUGAL : Primera Liga – suspended indefinitely ( FROM March 12)

QATAR : A four-team international event in Doha featuring Croatia, Portugal, Belgium and Switzerland from March 26-30 has been canceled.

W.C.QLF ( SOUTH AMERICA) - Brazil’s first two qualifying games for the 2022 World Cup — against Bolivia (March 27) and Peru (March 31) — have been postponed

JAPAN AND CHINA - New seasons in the Chinese, Japanese and South Korean professional leagues have been postponed

REMAINING I LEAGUE MATCHES BEHIND CLOSE DOOR

13.3.20: The All India Football Federation after the meeting with all the I League playing clubs finally decided to host the remaining matches of the current edition(2019-20) of I League behind the closed door.
In a statement AIFF stated , "Besides team officials and players; match officials (referees), medical staff, TV Crew, accredited media, and required security staff -- none would be allowed to be in the premises of the stadium on match day, and during official practice the preceding day."
The decision was made following a circular issued by he Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to all the National Sports Federation due to Corona Virus.

So, the Kolkata derby between the two arch rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan on the 15th of March at Yubabharati Kriangan will be a closed door contest.

ISL FINAL BEHIND THE CLOSE DOOR STADIUM

12.3.20: After the sports ministry directs no public gathering during sports events, organisers of the Indian Super League have decided that the final match between ATK FC and Chennaiyin FC on March 14 will be played without any spectators at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Owing to the current preventive measures advised by the Sports Ministry, league organiser Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) has decided to hold the season’s final behind closed doors.FSDL said the decision was taken in view of the health and safety of players, fans and support staff.



AIFF SANTOSH TROPHY FINAL ROUND POSTPONED
10/3/2020 : The final round of the Hero Santosh Trophy 2019-20 scheduled to be played in Aizawl Mizoram has been postponed in wake of the outbreak of Covid19 Coronavirus, and ‘advisory issued by the Indian Government with regards to the outbreak.’

In a letter to the State Associations who have qualified for the final round of the Championship, All India Football Federation wrote: ‘As AIFF is more concerned about the safety and health of all the players and officials involved, it has decided to postpone the matches of the final round of the NFC for the Hero Santosh Trophy to be held from 14th to 27th April in Aizawl, Mizoram to later dates.’



12/03/2020 : The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare imposes restriction regarding gathering in any sporting events till 15th of April. In a Press Note it was stated - "To deal with the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19), the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued advisories and advised the State Governments to take appropriate action under the Epidemic Diseases Act,1897.
"You are advised to adhere to the advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and ensure that no public gathering takes place in any sporting event. In the event, the sporting event cannot be avoided, the same could be done without allowing gathering of people, including spectators.”

In a Press note AIFF stated: "The All India Football Federation will hold a Skype meeting with representatives from all Hero I-League clubs at 4 PM on Friday (March 13, 2020) in view of the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports concerning the recent global outbreak of COVID-19 (Corona Virus) today (March 12, 2020)".

It is likely that the I League Derby between the two arch rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan the 15th of March, Sunday at Kolkata will be a real disappointment for the spectators. The offline and online tickets are on sale as we observed long que in front of the ticket counters of both the clubs.

7th edition of Salgaocar FC Community Outreach Program

SALGAOCR FC PRESS RELEASE - 11/3/20: Amidst a colourful and electric atmosphere, the 7th edition of Salgaocar FC’s annual Community Outreach Program came to a close at the Chicalim Panchayat Ground on Sunday, 8th March, The Club organised a Grassroots Football Festival for children enrolled in the program and their parents. Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Swati Salgaocar, Vice President-Youth Development said "We at Salgaocar FC have always believed that the only way for football to flourish is to nurture talent at the grassroots level. Through our Community Outreach Program we are keeping alive the legacy of providing a national platform for Goan talent and giving back to the community that we are a part of”.

The festival began with fun drills for the children. Various football related fun games were organised for the parents as well. The festival concluded with fun football matches between the parents and the coaches, volunteers and older children. It was a great atmosphere where parents participated with great enthusiasm and enjoyed the games.Mementos were handed over to the coaches of the Community Outreach Program for their service and prizes were given to the winners of the various games organized at the festival.

Since its first edition in 2013, the program has been a roaring success with the number of boys and girls increasing significantly every year. Held every Sunday between November 2019 and March 2020, this year the program saw the registration cross 550 children from in and around Vasco. Recognised by the AIFF and AFC for having one of the best Youth Development Programs in the country, the Club continues to set the benchmark in Grassroots and Youth Development initiatives in India. At Salgaocar FC, encouraging and promoting young Goan talent and engaging with the community at large has always been essential to the club’s philosophy. The SFC U-10 team was felicitated for being unbeaten in 11 games and emerging champions in the Mormugao zone of The Little Gaurs League(U-10).

A live band of children from the Club's partner school, Marina English High School was in action at the event. In addition to entertaining the gathering, the band composed and sang a song in dedication to Salgaocar FC. The children head to the ground every Sunday, proudly wearing a full Salgaocar FC kit, for an afternoon of learning and excitement. The children are trained under the watchful eyes of highly qualified and experienced Salgaocar FC coaches. A total of 40 licensed coaches and volunteers were involved in the program this year. Children are taught the basics of football through fun drills and games and learn more challenging skills & tactics for competitive play. The most promising players from the program are absorbed into the Club’s U-13 youth team.

A few parents thanked Salgaocar FC for this initiative for the children of Mormugao zone. Present during the festival were Mr. Shivanand Salgaocar (President - SFC), Mrs. Ranjana Salgaocar(Director – SMRC Hospital), Ms. Swati Salgaocar (Vice President-YD), Dr. Sulabha Mehta, Mr. Adlear D’cruz ( General secretary - SFC), Mr. Sanjeev Nagvenkar (Sr. Team Manager - SFC), Mr. Anthony Levino Pereira (Sr. Team Head Coach - SFC) and Dr. Sangeeta Jain (COO – SMRC hospital).

INDIAN FOOTBALL NEWS 2020 (FEBRUARY)

INDIA'S FIFA WORLD CUP & AFC SCHUDULE POSTPONED
FIFA MEDIA RELEASE: 9.3.20: Following consultation with Asia’s member associations, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have agreed to postpone the upcoming Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as follows.
Matches originally scheduled to take place during the international window of 23-31 March 2020 and 1-9 June 2020 are postponed to later dates. FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 joint qualification round 2 matches which were scheduled to be played in March and June 2020 have been postponed till further confirmation. India were slated to host match against Qatar at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on March 26, 2020. In addition, in June the Indian team were scheduled to play two matches...... against Bangladesh in Dhaka on June 4, and hosting against Afghanistan in Kolkata on June 9.

FIFA and the AFC will continue to assess the situation in relation to COVID-19 and will decide whether further changes to the schedule of Asian FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers are required, always with the aim of protecting the safety and health of all individuals involved.
FIFA and the AFC will discuss further details of the postponed matches.



Indian football stars celebrate International Women’s Day as excitement builds for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020™ * More than 100 girls from local schools and NGOs in Goa celebrate #IWD2020
* Current and former stars from Indian Women’s National Team inspire young players
* “Women’s football in India is on the rise”: Ashalata Devi


09/03/2020 : FIFA PRESS RELEASE : In a unique moment in the history of Indian football, three generations of Indian women footballers gathered at the Benaulim Grounds in Goa today to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March. In an event organised by the Local Organising Committee for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020™, current and former players were seen inspiring the future. Former Indian Women's Team Captain and Padma Shri Bembem Devi, and current captain Ashalata Devi were amongst those who interacted with the India U-17 Women’s squad and more than 100 girls from schools and NGOs around Goa.

Bembem Devi and Ashalata Devi too shared their experiences with the U-17 squad who are likely to be amongst the first Indian female players to take part in a FIFA Tournament, as well as with the other attendees. "It is very heartening to see everyone out here today to celebrate International Women's Day and Indian women's football. It is clear today and very encouraging that the game has been on the rise since I started playing. I am sure that the whole nation will rally around and support the team in November when they take the field and they will then prove to be inspirations for the next set of kids who will choose to take up the game. The future definitely looks bright for women's football in the country," said Ashalata Devi.

One of the highlights of the day was to see Precious Dede, India's U-17 goalkeeping coach and four-time FIFA Women's World Cup participant with Nigeria, giving a goalkeeping masterclass to the attending schools and NGO children. LOC Tournament Director Roma Khanna said, “With India hosting the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup later this year, we wanted the girls to get a glimpse of what it takes to be a professional footballer. It was great to see so many young faces on the football field, and you can see that they enjoyed themselves. I hope we have managed to inspire a few of them to take up football professionally. I would like to also take this occasion to also ask parents to encourage their children to take up football, they can go on and represent their country at a FIFA World Cup!”

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020 will take place in Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Kolkata and Navi Mumbai. The tournament will kick off on 2 November, and the final will be held on 21 November.