Goan odyssey runs into rough weather

It may be fun and frolic on the beaches of Goa, but like the East Bengal quartet has learnt, the city of Kolkata is anything but forgiving. ...

It may be fun and frolic on the beaches of Goa, but like the East Bengal quartet has learnt, the city of Kolkata is anything but forgiving. Alvito d’Cunha, Covan Lawrence, Bernard Pires and John Dias had come to the city seeking greener pastures, but have instead run into rough weather in their bid to represent the glamour club of Indian football.

D’Cunha has been turning out for the red-and-gold brigade for four years now, but even he wasn’t spared the wrath of coach Subhas Bhowmick for breaching the deadline for arrival at the club. The gifted medio, overshot the July 9 deadline by three days and had to sit out for as many days, finally having to apologise to the club to get permission to practice. Covan’s brother Climax played for East Bengal last season, but left in a huff after the club officials decided not to renew his contract.

This season, Covan’s case went to the Players’ Status Committee, but since he had only registered for his previous club Mahindra United, but had signed a contract and taken advance from East Bengal, the committee ruled in the latter’s favour. It was an anxious wait that finally ended on July 16.

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‘‘I always wanted to play for East Bengal this season and the committee’s decision proved that I have gone about it the right way,’’ he said.

Pires and Dias were, however, not so lucky, as they have been asked to be present with their papers for the second hearing on July 27. Pires is in the India camp for the tour to Fiji next month, but will have to take leave for that hearing. Unlike Covan, he has signed contracts with both his previous club Salgaocar and East Bengal, withdrawing for the former and taking an inter-state transfer to the latter.

Dias’ case is the most complicated of all. Having played for Salgaocar last season, he first renewed contract with his old club and then did likewise with Dempo. Since it was an inter-Goan affair, Salgaocar decided to release him. Dias then did the unthinkable. He took advance from East Bengal and signed for them. But after pressure from the Goan club, returned the money.

The matter didn’t end there, though. The East Bengal officials went to Goa and convinced Dias to return Dempo’s money and come to East Bengal. The Goan did just that, in the process achieving the dubious distinction of signing for three clubs in a season. His fate now rests in the hands of the Players’ Status Committee and even he is unsure of what to expect.

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‘‘I am really tense. I know I made a mistake, but I am hoping that the AIFF committee takes a lenient view of my case,’’ he said. His case has only been worsened by the fact that he turned out for East Bengal in the tsunami benefit tie recently.