East Bengal: Abdul Siddiqui denies match-fixing allegations and reports of CBI summons

The goalkeeping coach, out of contract at East Bengal, has denied allegations of match-fixing levelled against him...

East Bengal's former goalkeeping coach and Khalid Jamil's assistant Abdul Siddiqui has denied reports of him being involved in match-fixing and subsequent reports of being summoned by the CBI.

The issue arose after I-League champions Minerva Punjab FC's owner Ranjit Bajaj revealed on social media back in January that two of his players were contacted for match-fixing. Later in March, Bajaj further mentioned that five more players and head coach Khogen were also approached.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) handed the match-fixing investigation to the CBI last month. According to various reports, the CBI had summoned former East Bengal player Alvito D'Cunha and assistant coach Abdul Siddiqui who it was alleged had called up Minerva coach Khogen Singh and offered him a role at East Bengal if his team underperformed.

Speaking to Goal, Siddiqui confirmed that he was not aware of any summons from the CBI and insisted that he is not involved in the match-fixing scandal. He said, "There is no information that I have been summoned by the CBI. Neither the club has informed me nor have I received any calls from anyone in the CBI.

"The thing has been highlighted just for publicity. I regularly talk to many coaches, and not only to Minerva's coach. It is not like what is being reported by the press. I said the same to Siraj (Javed Siraj - AIFF's Integrity Officer who is also handling the case) also.

"I do not deny that I had a chat with Khogen, but it was not the first time I was talking to the Minerva coach. It is a long-term business. We are in terms for a long period of time. How I can decide his contract with East Bengal for next year when my contract was only for a year with the club.

"Even when we went to play that crucial away match, Khogen Singh called me to ask how was I doing? It was a normal conversation and it had nothing to do any contract."

On the CBI investigation issue, AIFF's integrity officer Javed Siraj had told Goal, "Everything has got a system. An investigation cannot run according to the whims of anyone. CBI has got their own priorities. It is not in my power to propose the CBI to take it up urgently. The case has been referred to the CBI, and whenever there is a discussion we go there and discuss the case.

"We are talking to many parties. From my side, I am trying to bring this case to a conclusion. The CBI is a separate issue. They have been interested in someone, they are interrogating him. We are also not sleeping and are trying our best. I am not the final authority. If I have written something then it will go to someone else and then to another committee. It takes time."

On asked if he was happy with the progress of the investigation, Siraj suggested, "I am myself doing the investigation. Yes, there will be some conclusion. There have been developments, which I cannot reveal to the press. Keep patience, we are trying."

Meanwhile, Siddiqui also revealed that he only had a one-year contract with East Bengal and that he is yet to receive fresh terms from the club. With Khalid Jamil already gone, it is unlikely that technical director Subhash Bhowmick will ask the club to re-hire him again this season.

On his contract issue, Siddiqui said, "I already had a chat about my contract with East Bengal officials but they said that they do not want any high profile coaches. I spoke to Alvito and he directly said that since the club budget is very low we are looking for a coach whose wage demands will not be high, as everything will be taken care of by Subhash Bhowmick.

"When I asked, that whether he is considering my CV since I am already an A-Licensed coach and my record in the past few years is also outstanding.

"I promoted Ishan Debnath, then I have given a new face to Indian football in the form of Sanjiban Ghosh. Then when I was in Aizawl, Albino Gomes performed superbly and was instrumental in Aizawl's success. This year also nobody knew of CK Ubaid before he joined East Bengal, but he performed outstandingly.

"But I am not angry with the East Bengal officials. They have their own budgetary concerns and can go till a certain limit. If in the future, they offer me a contract I will definitely go back to the club."