In a move that has stirred controversy across Indian football circles, Indian Super League (ISL) champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant have refused to release their players for the first national camp under newly appointed head coach Khalid Jamil. The camp, which began on August 15 in Bengaluru, is part of India’s preparation for the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup scheduled to be held in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan from August 29 to September 8.
The club’s decision has sparked debate over player welfare, club-versus-country priorities, and the role of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in managing national team logistics outside FIFA-sanctioned windows.
🏟️ The Players and the Camp
Seven senior Mohun Bagan players were named in the AIFF’s list for the national camp but have not reported to Bengaluru. These include:
- Anirudh Thapa
- Deepak Tangri
- Lalengmawia
- Liston Colaco
- Manvir Singh
- Sahal Abdul Samad
- Vishal Kaith
Additionally, four U-23 players—Dippendu Biswas, Suhail Bhat, Priyansh Dubey, and T Abhishek Singh—were called up for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers in Qatar next month. None have joined their respective camps.
| Player Name | Category | Injury Status | Reason for Non-Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anirudh Thapa | Senior | Fit | Club decision |
| Deepak Tangri | Senior | Fit | Club decision |
| Lalengmawia | Senior | Fit | Club decision |
| Liston Colaco | Senior | Fit | Club decision |
| Manvir Singh | Senior | Injured | Recovery phase |
| Sahal Abdul Samad | Senior | Fit | Club decision |
| Vishal Kaith | Senior | Fit | Club decision |
| Dippendu Biswas | U-23 | Fit | Squad depth requirement |
| Suhail Bhat | U-23 | Minor niggle | Injury management |
| Priyansh Dubey | U-23 | Fit | Squad depth requirement |
| T Abhishek Singh | U-23 | Fit | Defensive necessity |
🧭 Club’s Justification: Injury Concerns and AFC Priorities
Mohun Bagan officials have cited multiple reasons for their decision, chief among them being player welfare and the club’s upcoming AFC Champions League Two campaign. The Mariners are set to face Turkmenistan’s Ahal FC in their Group C opener on September 16 at Salt Lake Stadium, followed by fixtures against Sepahan (Iran) and Al Hussein (Jordan).
The club emphasized that outside FIFA windows, they are not obligated to release players, especially when there is no injury compensation mechanism in place. “Every time they take our players, three or four return injured, and the AIFF is least bothered to communicate, compensate, or even check on them,” a club official stated.
The case of captain Subhasish Bose was highlighted. Injured during India’s Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in March, Bose has missed the entire season and is still under rehabilitation. “We are paying his salary, and yet the federation hasn’t even called once to inquire about him,” the official added.
📊 Timeline of Events
| Date | Event Description |
|---|---|
| March 2025 | Subhasish Bose injured during national duty |
| August 15 | India camp begins under Khalid Jamil |
| August 18 | Mohun Bagan officially refuses to release players |
| September 16 | AFC Champions League Two opener vs Ahal FC |
🗣️ AIFF’s Response and Coach Jamil’s Appeal
The AIFF has expressed disappointment over the club’s decision, urging all ISL teams to cooperate in the “national interest.” In its official statement, the federation thanked Jamshedpur FC for releasing coach Khalid Jamil and appealed to other clubs to follow suit.
Coach Jamil, in his first public statement since taking charge, emphasized unity and preparation. “The important thing is that we remain united as a team. For the national interest, we would like to request all clubs to release players,” he said.
| Stakeholder | Position on Player Release |
|---|---|
| Mohun Bagan SG | Refused, citing injury risk and AFC priorities |
| AIFF | Urged cooperation, cited national interest |
| Khalid Jamil | Requested unity and full squad participation |
| Jamshedpur FC | Released players and coach |
| FC Goa | Released four players for camp |
⚽ Club vs Country: A Growing Dilemma
The incident has reignited the long-standing debate between club commitments and national duty. While FIFA mandates player release during international windows, the CAFA Nations Cup falls outside the designated calendar, giving clubs the discretion to retain their players.
Mohun Bagan’s stance reflects a growing trend among elite clubs globally, where player health and tournament priorities often outweigh national call-ups. With the AFC Champions League Two offering direct implications for India’s continental rankings, the club argues that their participation serves national interest in a different capacity.
🧠 Injury Management and Player Welfare
The lack of a formal injury compensation framework between AIFF and clubs has become a focal point. Mohun Bagan officials argue that repeated injuries during national duty have cost them key players and disrupted their season plans.
| Injury Case | Player Affected | Impact on Club Season |
|---|---|---|
| Subhasish Bose | Long-term injury | Missed Durand Cup, AFC prep |
| Manvir Singh | Ongoing recovery | Unavailable for AFC opener |
| Suhail Bhat | Minor niggle | Withheld from U-23 camp |
🌍 Continental Stakes: AFC Champions League Two
Mohun Bagan’s upcoming continental campaign adds weight to their decision. As ISL League Shield winners, they earned direct entry into the group stage of AFC Champions League Two. Their performance will influence India’s coefficient rankings, which determine future club slots in elite Asian competitions.
| Group C Fixtures (Bagan) | Opponent | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | Ahal FC | Sept 16 | Salt Lake |
| Match 2 | Sepahan SC | Oct 3 | Away (Iran) |
| Match 3 | Al Hussein | Oct 24 | Away (Jordan) |
| Match 4 | Al Hussein | Nov 4 | Salt Lake |
| Match 5 | Ahal FC | Nov 25 | Away (Turkmenistan) |
| Match 6 | Sepahan SC | Dec 23 | Salt Lake |
📌 What Happens Next?
With the national camp already underway and Mohun Bagan’s players absent, Coach Jamil has begun working on a Plan B. Reports suggest that replacements from Jamshedpur FC and other ISL clubs have been called up to fill the gaps.
The AIFF may consider revisiting its policies on player release, injury compensation, and coordination with clubs to prevent future standoffs.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available statements and news reports. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not reflect any political or institutional bias.
