Reports | Only I-League player in Asian Cup squad mentioned as ISL player
The only I-League player in the 23-member Indian team for the AFC Asian Cup Salam Ranjan Singh has been listed as a player from Indian Super League and not from I-League. AIFF general secretary Kushal Das has clarified that as “a clerical mistake” and said that it may be done by AFC or AIFF.
East Bengal’s centre-back Salam Ranjan Singh is the only I-League player to have found a place in the 23-member Indian national team for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup scheduled to be played in the UAE from January 5. But, as per a report published on TOI, he has been listed as a footballer from Kerala Blasters FC, an ISL team based out of Kochi.Â
The newspaper organisation has the letter sent by the AIFF to the AFC, which has been put in records by the Asian board. The list has the players’ names, date of birth, age, jersey name, playing positions, the club they represent, height, weight, national team caps and goals for the national team.
“It is a clerical mistake. I don’t know (who made the mistake). It can be AFC or AIFF, anyone. I’ll have to find out,” AIFF general secretary Kushal Das told TOI.Â
“If this is a clerical mistake, it is unparalleled. It is not correct. This shouldn’t happen in the future. People in authority should be cautious, so that club’s or the player’s honour is not compromised. Whosoever is given the responsibility should have the awareness – especially since the AFC Asian Cup is such an important tournament,” Debabrata Sarkar, a member of East Bengal’s executive committee explained.Â
“And if it is intentional, then it is a crime. It is not only dishonouring the teams who have participated in the I-League,
The Blue Tigers under the leadership of Sunil Chhetri will play their first match in the prestigious tournament against Thailand on January 6 at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.