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Indian football’s oldest club Mohun Bagan have decided to move to court against their main title sponsors McDowell over the issue of non-payment of last season’s dues. Mohun Bagan, who won the I-league title last season have removed the name of McDowell from their symbolic jersey which the players are wearing during the preseason.
McDowell, owned by Vijay Mallya’s United Spirits have been the main title sponsors of the Kolkata-based club for more than 15 years. However, with last season’s dues still unpaid, the I-League champions have decided to take legal action against them.
“We have decided to file a case against McDowell since it hasn’t yet paid us the arrears of last season. It\'s very simple… We want all our dues to be cleared as soon as possible,” a Bagan official was quoted in The Telegraph. With the Calcutta football league underway, the players of Mohun Bagan are still playing without any title sponsors on the iconic jersey.
There have been suggestions that Bagan’s sponsorship issues would be sorted out soon. But with McDowell being dragged to court, it’s evident that the club is no longer in negotiations with the liquor brand.
McDowell want to continue the sponsorship according to reports
In 2013, United Spirits had got into a fresh 10-year sponsorship agreement with Mohun Bagan, committing Rs.80 crores in installments over 10 years. However, that agreement is now in dire straits as the Kolkata giants are refusing to negotiate with McDowell unless all the payments from the previous season are made.
Three months ago the shareholders of the company had voted in favour of terminating the arrangement. However, in an interesting turn of events United Spirits Ltd. want to once again sponsor The Mariners. With the debut season of the Indian Super League achieving more than the expectations, it wouldn’t be difficult for Mohun Bagan to find a sponsor that would be willing to pay them 8-9 crores per year.
An amicable settlement beneficial for both parties.
Restoring the sponsorship deal between United Spirits and Mohun Bagan is very important for Indian football. Successful football teams across the country such as Bengaluru FC and Pune FC have strong corporate backing. Those that do not such as Kolkata’s Mohammedan Sporting Club, are struggling for survival.
