Kolkata, July 9 (IANS) Seeking to quell doubts over Argentine football star Lionel Messi being seen in action in a FIFA international friendly match here Sep 2, a top All India Football Federation (AIFF) official Saturday said the game will be held as scheduled and the process of clearance is on.
"I don't know why people are expressing doubt over the fate of the match. It is nothing unusual that is happening. Everybody is keen to have this match and I cannot see any problem that exists as far as the match is concerned," said AIFF senior vice president Subrata Dutta at a football magazine launch here.
Exuding confidence over staging the match, Dutta said: "The organisers along with all the other entities concerned are working hard to ensure the people get to see the match as scheduled. The approval of FIFA for the match is on its way. The FIFA president (Sepp Blatter) has sent a message to the organisers wishing them luck. I do not see any reason why this match will not happen."
The national team of Argentina will take on Venezuela in a FIFA international friendly match at Salt Lake Stadium. The Argentines will also play Nigeria Sep 6 in Dhaka.
When asked whether the Indian Arrows team would play in the Calcutta Football League (CFL), Dutta, who is also the vice president of the game's West Bengal apex body Indian Football Association (IFA), said: "In order to play, they will have to get affiliation from the IFA for which they have to apply before March 15. But I am not sure whether they want to play in the CFL."