Mohun Bagan Set To Merge With ATK, Play In ISL Next Season: Report

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Kolkata’s leading team Mohun Bagan is preparing to merge with ATK as part of the exercise to play in the country’s top football league Indian Super League (ISL) in 2020-2021. Although officials of Mohun Bagan and ATK have not made any commitment regarding this merger, there is a possibility that an announcement in this regard could be made soon.

mohun-bagan-with-ATK-in-ISLSenior Mohun Bagan officer Debasish Dutta said that there is no confirmation at the moment, but the club has been in talks for future tie-ups off late. He further said that as nothing solid has panned out he cannot confirm anything. Although he did assure that an announcement will be made as soon as something concrete happens.

On the other hand, ATK co-owner Utsav Parekh also did not confirm anything, but he did hint that something is cooking between the two football giants in Kolkata by saying that the ISL organizers Football Sports Development Limited, are looking into the matter.ATK-merge-with-mohan-bagan-isl-next-season

“Every three months, we have been hearing such speculations. Last we heard East Bengal will join ATK and now it’s Mohun Bagan. Let’s wait and watch, FSDL is looking into the matter. They will have a final say.” Parikh said.

It is to be noted that Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has handed All India Football Federation (AIFF) a road map for the development of the game in the country and as per the road map, ISL is set to become the top tier league of the country. AFC has insisted the I-league should be integrated with the ISL. Failing this India will be removed from qualification for AFC Club Competitions. Further, there is also a key recommendation to allow two I-League clubs’ entry into the ISL by the end of the 2020-21 season, subject to the criteria being fulfilled.

At a meeting between AIFF and AFC in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in October last year it was also decided that clubs from both the leagues would be consolidated into one league by the 2024-25 season and a system of promotion and relegation would be implemented as well.