East Bengal sign Sehnaj, Jairu, Lobo despite financial hurdle

Kolkata, April 27 (IANS) City football giants East Bengal on Monday announced the signings of Sehnaj Singh, Bikash Jairu and Cavin Lobo despite their principal investors, Quess Corp, terminating all the existing contracts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the club facing a financial crisis.

In a statement East Bengal confirmed the signing of Sehnaj singh from ATK, Jairu from Jamshedpur FC and Lobo from Punjab FC.

Quess Corp have prematurely served contract termination notices to its players with effect from April 30.

On Saturday, in an email to the players and coaching staff, the current investors of East Bengal, Quess Corp, said they have activated the ‘Force Majeure’ clause to take this step in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quess, who came on board with East Bengal as an investor in 2018, had earlier stated that it would end its association with the red and gold brigade from May 31.

Sehnaj played in eight matches for Indian Super League side ATK in their triumphant campaign this season.

Jairu, meanwhile, returns to the side after his 2015-2017 stint while Lobo was loaned to I-League team Punjab FC last season by ISL champions ATK.

The 2019-20 season of I-League was concluded by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with Mohun Bagan declared as champions as remaining matches could not be completed due to the pandemic.

East Bengal finished second (23 points) with four matches left in the table. They also parted ways with Spanish coach Alejandaro Menendez after losing in a derby to Mohun Bagan.

–IANS

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