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Journalism of Courage
Ending weeks of speculation, former France striker Nicolas Anelka was officially named as the marquee player for Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Monday.
The controversial striker has signed a contract with the club till Christmas, leaving the door open for a possible move back to Europe during the January transfer window. Anelka said the mix of international stars and Indian talent will make for “thrilling matches” in the football tournament starting from October 12. “I’m pleased to join Mumbai City FC & very exciting in joining Indian Super League. Talented international players & top Indian talent will make matches thrilling affairs,” Anelka, a World Cupper, wrote on his twitter handle. “I look forward to using my ability to do well for my team in the matches we will play,” he added.
Mumbai City FC’s negotiations with the 35-year-old had been in advanced stage in recent times. The former Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Chelsea striker had been without a club since his controversial exit from West Bromwich earlier this year.
Anelka’s agent, last week, had said that the striker was set to join the Indian franchise amidst reports that he was to be signed by Fiorentina.
Former England midfielder Peter Reid will manage the Mumbai franchise, co-owned by Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor, and they have also signed former Germany centre back Manuel Friedrich. “We are delighted to announce the signing of Nicolas Anelka and thrilled that a player with a stunning pedigree such as his is part of our team,” Kapoor added.
However, Anelka’s plans to join Mumbai City could be delayed by the five-match ban imposed in England for a racially aggravated goal celebration that led to his departure from West Bromwich Albion in March. FIFA was asked by the English Football Association in March to ensure Anelka’s ban was applied worldwide if he tried to sign for another club.
Anelka got his first taste of Asian football when he joined big-spending Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua in 2012.
Anelka began his career at Paris Saint-Germain, but soon moved to Arsenal. Real Madrid signed him in 1999, before he returned to Paris Saint-Germain. He transferred to Chelsea from Bolton in 2008. He has played 69 times for the national team and won his first international honours with France at Euro 2000, and won the Confederations Cup the following year.
In June 2010, Anelka was sent home from the World Cup for insulting national coach Raymond Domenech.
Zico arrives in Goa
Legendary Brazilian footballer Zico arrived on Monday to take charge of Football Club Goa as head coach for the inaugural ISL season. The 61-year-old Arthur Antunes Coimbra, nicknamed ‘White Pele’, reached Goa along with former Dempo midfielder Roberto Mendis Silva and was received at the airport by former All India Football Federation general secretary Alberto Colaco.
