By Mark Baber
May 5 – The ‘Neighbours Series’ tournament, scheduled to be hosted by Fulham FC at Craven Cottage between the national sides of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in June, has been cancelled.
A notice on Fulham’s website says that “The Club would like to inform supporters that the international friendly matches scheduled to be played at Craven Cottage in June between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have been cancelled.
Full refunds for tickets already purchased will be given.”
Only a week ago it was confirmed that India was to play Bangladesh on June 1 and Pakistan on June 4. Pakistan was supposed to play Bangladesh on June 8.
The tournament was promoted by the Kolkata-based Celebrity Management Group (CMG), which has shed little light on the circumstances with CMG executive director Bhaswar Goswami telling reporters, “All I can say is that the tour has only been postponed due to reasons beyond our control. I can’t reveal the reasons right now.”
According to Goswami speculation that the cancellation was connected to the chit-fund scam was wide of the mark – “That is completely baseless. Why would we, at this stage, associate with such companies which are involved in the chit-fund scam?” he asked.
Goswani said he hoped new dates would be announced soon, amidst media reports that the tour may have been cancelled due to problems attracting sponsorship.
Bangladesh Football Federation General Secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag said that the CMG sent an e-mail to BFF Monday late night cancelling the tour.
He said: “I’ve tried several times to communicate with CMG Tuesday over phone and e-mail to know the actual reason, but did not get any response.”
The late cancellation leaves the south Asian countries looking to schedule new friendlies in June in preparation for the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in September this year.
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