Minerva had earlier alleged that on the All India Football Federation’s insistence, the Odisha government had withdrawn permission to use the stadium against Manang Marshyangdi Club of Nepal for the Group E match.
Minerva Punjab FC on Thursday heaved a sigh of relief after the Odisha government granted them permission to use Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium for their AFC Cup home match on May 1, and said they are “not shutting shop” for now.
Minerva had earlier alleged that on the All India Football Federation’s insistence, the Odisha government had withdrawn permission to use the stadium against Manang Marshyangdi Club of Nepal for the Group E match.
Club owner Ranjit Bajaj had requested Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to look into the matter.
“I have been informed through phone that I can use the Kalinga Stadium for the May 1 match. I am very happy and I want to profusely thank Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Ji and Sports Secretary and Director Sports for giving the permission,” Bajaj told PTI.
“We have two more matches on June 19 and 26. For these matches, we will not be able to use Kalinga Stadium so I have to find a stadium for the two matches. I have more than two months and I hope to get the venues in this time,” he added.
“The stadiums will have to be AFC approved. So, I will approach Guwahati, Goa, and others also. The fee for using the stadium will be a factor,” he said.
Minerva’s other two home games will be against Chennaiyin FC (June 19) and Abahani Limited Dhaka of Bangladesh (June 26).
“Then, a fine of USD 50,000 would have been imposed on us per match. That would have meant USD 3 lakh for the six group matches and a 3-0 result against us in all these matches. So, what was I supposed to do if I have to pay this hefty fine and then a ban of at least three years?” he asked.
“I would not have any other way except shutting shop. But now, things have changed and as of now I can focus on the performance of the team for May 1 match.”
