The sudden withdrawal of Mumbai Tigers from the I-League starting on Saturday has hit hard players like India international Mohanraj Nallapan, who is now forced to sit out of top flight football in domestic circuit.
Mohanraj told PTI that he had signed with Mumbai Tigers for one year with the hope that the new team will be the right platform for him to showcase his talent in the I-League.
"I signed with Mumbai Tigers with high hopes that since it being a new team owned by a corporate house it will have some big things in store, like the best of facilities, best players etc," Mohanraj said after Mumbai Tigers lost 1-3 to Mohammedan Sporting in the Durand Cup semifinal today.
"But who will know the club will pull out of the I-League at the last minute. The I-League schedule was announced (by the AIFF) with Mumbai Tigers in it and the club suddenly announced that it will pull out. It was unfortunate," said the 23-year-old left back from Tamil Nadu.
Mumbai Tigers, owned by Dubai-based Dodsal Group, was one of the two corporate clubs which was given direct entry into the I-League by the AIFF with an aim to boost Indian football by the association of business houses.
The club, however, pulled out in the last minute, leaving the I-League a 13-club affair this season. Mumbai Tigers are though expected to play in the second division I-League.
Mohanraj, who had stints in Mohun Bagan and Pune FC before joining Mumbai Tigers said that he will have to be with the club for at least one year and see what happens.
"I am in a fix as I don't know what to do and I am an Indian international player. If I don't play in the I-League, I won't be playing with the best in the country. I can't join another I-League club now," he said.
"I guess as a professional player I have to honour my commitment with the club. I am being treated well at the club and the players are gelling well and so I am happy on that count except that I will be missing top level football.
"The club management is also saying that it will play in the I-League next year and they have some big plans for next year. So I have to see and play in the second division I-League," he said.
