SC East Bengal are yet to reach out to their former players who are waiting for their outstanding salaries.

These footballers were signed by East Bengal in the summer of 2020 and investor Shree Cement inherited them after coming on board in September last year.

Cavin Lobo, Girik Khosla, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, CK Vineeth, Keegan Pereira, Rino Anto and Anil Chavan are still waiting for their dues to be cleared. The total amount is around Rs 3 crore.

SC East Bengal CEO Shivaji Samaddar had asked for a month’s time from the players’ status committee (PSC) of the All India Football Federation on November 18.

“SC East Bengal had given word to the PSC that they would directly contact the players and settle the issue amicably within a month,” a source told The Telegraph. The deadline ends on December 18, but till Friday, none of the aggrieved footballers had heard anything from the management.

One footballer, who did not wish to be named, said it could be a ploy to delay the payment as much as possible. “Our apprehension is that the football management would sit on the matter till April-May and if Shree Cement leaves then whoever takes over will have to accept the liabilities,” the footballer said.

It remains to be seen what the footballers’ and their representatives’ next course of action will be if SC East Bengal fail to meet the deadline.

SC East Bengal have made a disastrous start to the ongoing ISL VIII season, being winless after five matches.