Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Will Manchester United buy East Bengal FC? Here's the response of Sourav Ganguly

East Bengal FC is one of the oldest football clubs in India

INDIAN cricket board chief Sourav Ganguly has said that English Premier League club Manchester United are in talks with Kolkata's East Bengal for ownership.

Ganguly, who is facilitating the deal, told media that negotiations are on with United and a few others and a clear picture will emerge in two weeks.


"Yes we have spoken to them and others also. It will take 10-12 more days to know who will be the entity," Ganguly said. "It takes some time. First, let it reach a stage then we will make a comment. I will speak only after there's a concrete development."

It was reported that East Bengal were also talking with with Bangladesh-based conglomerate Bashundhara Group but it did not lead to any deal.

Struggling with off-the-field issues, the century-old Kolkata giants have struggled to keep their ties with the investors intact in recent times that have reflected in poor results.

It's earlier owner, Bengaluru-based Quess Corp exited after a two-year association despite a three-year agreement, jeopardising their Indian Super League (ISL) entry.

When the team failed to rope in any investor, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee came to their rescue with a pact with Shree Cement Ltd as they made last-minute entry into the ISL 2020-21.

The cement conglomerate bought a majority stake of 76 per cent to help them enter ISL and follow their bitter rivals Mohun Bagan who merged with ATK the same season.

But East Bengal's association did not go off well as their executive committee refused to sign the final agreement, claiming discrepancies in the initial term.

SC East Bengal hired Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler but due to poor planning and lack of preparation they finished a lowly ninth in their maiden ISL season with nine losses, eight draws and just three wins.

Shree Cement had agreed to continue in the last ISL edition. But the team's performance was worse as they finished bottom of the table with just one win from 20 matches which included 11 losses and eight draws.

Their association ended in April after Shree Cement handed over the sporting rights.

(PTI)

More For You

NatWest

NatWest also raised its key profit guidance for the year, saying it now expects to achieve a return on tangible equity of 16.5 per cent, up from its earlier guidance of up to 16 per cent.

Reuters

NatWest profit rises 18 per cent, returns £750 million to shareholders

NATWEST reported an 18 per cent rise in first-half profit on Friday, slightly ahead of expectations, as it recorded growth in both loans and deposits. The performance allowed the bank to announce a new share buyback worth £750 million.

The British lender posted an operating pretax profit of £3.6 billion for the January to June period. This compares with the £3.46bn average forecast from analysts compiled by the bank.

Keep ReadingShow less
Arijit Singh Sapphire

Ed Sheeran sings in Hindi and Punjabi for Sapphire remix with Arijit Singh

Liam Pethick / @liampethickphoto

Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh release multilingual remix of 'Sapphire', shot in India

Highlights:

  • Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh drop a Hindi-Punjabi remix of Sapphire, recorded in Goa
  • The duo blended English, Hindi, and Punjabi lyrics for the new version
  • Music video features scenes from Ed’s India tour and a cameo by Shah Rukh Khan
  • Sapphire becomes first English track to top Spotify India since 2021

British pop star Ed Sheeran has joined forces with Indian playback sensation Arijit Singh for a special multilingual version of his track Sapphire, released today. The remix combines Hindi, Punjabi, and English lyrics and was recorded earlier this year during Sheeran’s India tour.

 Arijit Singh Sapphire Ed Sheeran sings in Hindi and Punjabi for Sapphire remix with Arijit Singh   Liam Pethick / @liampethickphoto  

Keep ReadingShow less
casting couch

Shocking casting couch confessions that reveal how Bollywood exploitation has evolved

5 brave women who called out Bollywood’s casting couch

You know what’s worse than silence? The kind of silence that sounds like applause. Applause for a director who’s known for "launching careers." Praise for a superstar who’s worshipped on-screen but whispers vile things off it. This is the silence that kept Bollywood’s casting couch culture alive for decades.

Forget the dance numbers and the dreamy close-ups. Strip away the sequins, and you often find something ugly festering in Bollywood's shadows. An ugly tradition that’s still thriving. It’s not new. It’s not gone.

Keep ReadingShow less
Prime minister, Keir Starmer (C), and deputy prime minister Angela Rayner (opposite the PM) meet the families of the young girls

Prime minister, Keir Starmer (C), and deputy prime minister Angela Rayner (opposite the PM) meet the families of the young girls murdered in the Southport attack at 10, Downing Street on June 10, 2025 in London, England.

Getty images

Southport tensions rise amid UK anti-immigrant unrest fears

CONCERN is mounting in Britain that recent violent anti-immigrant protests could herald a new summer of unrest, a year after the UK was rocked by its worst riots in decades.

Eighteen people have now been arrested since protests flared last week outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in the town of Epping, northeast of London and seven people have been charged, Essex police said late Thursday (24). In one demonstration, eight police officers were injured.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sadiq Khan

Khan has welcomed the UK-India trade deal, calling it a major boost for London's economy and business opportunities.

Kate Green/Getty Images

Sadiq Khan welcomes UK-India trade deal

LONDON mayor Sadiq Khan has welcomed the UK-India trade deal, calling it a boost for the capital's economy.

“I’m delighted that the Government has signed this historic trade deal with India, delivering a £310m boost for London’s economy and creating opportunities for business in the capital and across the UK,” Khan said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less