New Delhi: Even as the AIFF mulls the option of banning Mohun Bagan, president Praful Patel Tuesday said the federation is not going to arrive at a decision in "haste" keeping in mind "long-term implications".
"We have taken a serious note of it. But we will not make a hasty decision as there could be long-term implications.
Whatever has happened, will surely have a bad impact on football," Patel said.
Mohun Bagan walked off the pitch after their key player, Syed Rahim Nabi, got injured after being hurled a stone on his face during the violence-ridden I-League derby against East Bengal in Kolkata on Sunday.
Trailing 0-1 at the break, they cited "security concerns" as the reason for not turning up for the second half.
Under Clause 22 of the AIFF Constitution, the club stands to banned for two years.
"There will be proper hearing and we will try and get full information from all possible quarters possible before arriving at a decision. We will take police reports, our local sources' reports, media coverage reports and will also talk to players, match commissioner and the referees."
"It's a very serious issue and can have a bad impact on football. These things should not happen in a city like Kolkata where big matches are held regularly. This incident will definitely raise a question mark.
"But we can assure that we will not be bias towards anybody. We will look to take the right decision.
Patel said that there is no politics involved as far as taking the decision is concerned.
"The local spectators always get excited because Mohun Bagan-East Bengal match has always been a big one and has an identity of its own.
"It's a question of law and order and security of the players. It's the local police and the local organiser's decision."
Meanwhile, Bagan coach Karim Bencherifa said the team was looking to start afresh when it takes to the field Wednesday for training.
"We are looking for a positive result that will boost the boys mentally, especially after what happened on Sunday. We are waiting for the AIFF's decision.
"But at the same time, we hope that they will take a decision keeping the club's mass followers in consideration," Bencherifa said on the eve of the Calcutta Football League Premier Division match against Bhowanipore.
East Bengal secretary Kalyan Majumdar, meanwhile, said that the club was ready to bear the expense for the treament of Nabi if asked by the AIFF.
"Mohun Bagan cannot question our players' team spirit.
"Our players carried Nabi to the ambulance. It speaks volumes about their sportsman spirit. We are ready to bear the treatment cost, if we get an order," he said.
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