AIFF set to soften stand against Mohun Bagan

The All India Football Federation might consider reducing the two-year ban on Mohun Bagan, besides giving the club a breather as far as imposing financial sanctions is concerned, when the federation's executive committee meets in New Delhi.

Conceding that the ban was harsh on the club, AIFF general secretary, Kushal Das, said that laws may be "changed" definitely.

"Law is a thing and in some cases it is strong. Three-year ban (including the current season) is strong and there is no doubt about that, but the executive committee has been given the power to consider everything. Definitely, laws may be changed," Das said.

"It looks a bit harsh, stringent... On one hand, we will have new clubs entering the fray and, on the other, they (Mohun Bagan) will not be playing for four years (they will have to qualify through second division after serving the ban). The discontent is understandable," Das added.

Mohun Bagan appealed against the ban slapped on it for abandoning an I-League match midway against East Bengal last December.

They were trailing 0-1 against their arch-rivals in the Kolkata derby when star player Syed Rahim Nabi was hit on the face by a stone hurled from the crowd at the Salt Lake stadium.

Mohun Bagan are getting a lot of support from the former players, fans and the other clubs.

Other than the Mohun Bagan issue, the AIFF will also form new committees of the new executive committee.

"New committees will be formed tomorrow like technical etc. There will be some assessment of I-league second division. We will also decide the venue for India's international friendly," Das said.