World Cup stars for Bengal’s football league

Some of the top footballers, including Robert Pires, Jaun Pablo Sorin and Maniche are set to play at venues across West Bengal, including Kolkata, Howrah, Durgapur, Barasat, Haldia and Siliguri when they participate in the Premier League Soccer (PLS) which starts from February 24.

The franchise-based tournament, a joint venture between Celebrity Management Group (CMG) and Indian Football Association (IFA), has received confirmation from 24 internationals, including those who have represented their country at the Under-17 and Under-21 World Cups.

Teams will play home and away games and tenders for franchisee rights are expected to be issued shortly. CMG is not new to hosting big football events and were instrumental in Kolkata hosting the international friendly between Argentina and Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium. CMG chief Bhaswar Goswami told The Indian Express that each team can field up to four foreign players of which one will be an ‘icon player’ - one who has played in the World Cup finals.

.indianexpress