The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday issued a clarification regarding the injury of Mohun Bagan Super Giant captain Subhasish Bose, stressing that the defender did not sustain the setback during India’s Asian Cup qualifying match against Bangladesh in March, but rather during the Indian Super League (ISL) final in April.
The clarification came in the wake of rising tensions between the federation and the Kolkata-based club, which recently refused to release players for the national camp ahead of the CAFA Nations Cup, citing concerns over player welfare.
AIFF’s Official Statement
In a letter addressed to Mohun Bagan Super Giant, AIFF deputy general secretary M. Satyanarayan quoted the findings of the national team’s medical department to set the record straight.Subhasish Bose was not injured during the AFC Asian Cup – 2027 qualifier match vs Bangladesh on March 25, 2025, in Shillong.
He played 85 minutes and was substituted purely on a tactical decision, not due to injury,” the letter stated.
The federation further pointed out that after the Bangladesh game, Bose went on to feature for his club without issues, playing full 90 minutes in both legs of the ISL semifinals on April 3 and 7, and once again completing most of the ISL final on April 12 against Bengaluru FC, before being substituted.
According to the AIFF, it was during this final that Bose picked up the injury.
Injury Details and Timeline
The letter elaborated that Bose reported to the national team camp on May 18, 2025, but after just a couple of training sessions, he complained of right groin discomfort.
Upon further inquiry, he admitted to sustaining the injury during the ISL final in Kolkata on April 12, which Mohun Bagan Super Giant won 2-1.
The AIFF’s medical department also expressed dissatisfaction with how the situation was handled at the club level:
- Bose had taken a month-long rest post-injury without undergoing any medical investigations or structured rehabilitation.
- This development was reportedly not communicated to the national team’s medical staff.
- Once at the camp, his workload was reduced, and he was given rest, physiotherapy, and rehab sessions for five days.
Despite showing signs of improvement, the medical staff decided not to risk aggravation and released him from camp on June 5, ahead of India’s Asian Cup Qualifier match on June 9.
The federation emphasized that its medical team remained in touch with the player while he continued rehabilitation under Mohun Bagan’s doctors.
Growing Rift Between AIFF and Mohun Bagan
This clarification comes against the backdrop of an escalating standoff between the AIFF and Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
On Monday, the club refused to release its players for the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup, pointing out that the tournament is not scheduled during an official FIFA international window.
An official from the club accused the AIFF of “negligence” in handling player welfare, citing Bose’s prolonged absence as an example.Every time our players return from national duty, three or four come back injured.
The AIFF neither communicates, compensates, nor follows up on their recovery. Look at Bose—he has missed the entire season so far, we are paying his salary, and yet not once has the federation checked on him,” the club official told PTI.
With seven Mohun Bagan players included in the list of 35 probables named by newly appointed India head coach Khalid Jamil, the friction between club and country responsibilities is becoming more pronounced.
The Bigger Picture
The controversy highlights a recurring issue in Indian football—the tug-of-war between clubs and the national federation over player management, medical transparency, and scheduling conflicts.
While the AIFF has defended its medical team’s handling of Subhasish Bose’s case, Mohun Bagan maintains that clubs are unfairly burdened with the financial and physical fallout of player injuries sustained on international duty.
Unless both parties establish a more coordinated approach, experts warn that player welfare could continue to suffer, jeopardizing both club commitments and India’s international ambitions.
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