East Bengal mulls code of conduct

National Football League leaders East Bengal may introduce a code of conduct for its players, coaches and officials.

Buoyed by the club's recent successes in the international arena, the East Bengal administration wants to bring in the highest standards of professionalism in every aspect of the club's functioning.

"The first desirable thing is a code of conduct for one and all," said a senior club functionary on condition of anonymity.

The club hopes to put in place a uniform code of conduct that will be comprehensive and bring in its purview not only the players and coaches, but also officials.

Club officials are already drawing up a list of dos and don'ts for players. "The code of conduct would ensure that players don't absent themselves without reason from practice or matches," the official said.

Some of its leading players like Alvito D'Cunha and M. Suresh have already got into trouble by skipping practice and some important matches without permission.

East Bengal officials are already discussing a possible code of conduct with the Indian Football Association, the game's governing body in West Bengal.

Besides the code of conduct, the club is also mulling offering fixed three-year contracts to players.

"A longer contract will mean a sense of security and belonging among the players and this can have tremendous benefits," club secretary Kalyan Majumder said.

Majumder said there is a possibility of East Bengal having two teams for the next season.

 "The idea is to give the A-team players rest when they need it."