East Bengal FC head coach Antonio Lopez Habas launched a scathing attack on the Inter Kashi management after his side secured a commanding 5-1 victory over the club in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Friday.
Despite the emphatic result at Pune's Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Habas' post-match comments were dominated by his anger over the alleged non-payment of players and coaching staff from last season.
The Spanish tactician, who has fond memories of his time associated with the Inter Kashi squad and its support staff during his coaching days at the club, expressed deep disappointment with the club's board for allegedly failing to clear outstanding dues before bringing in a new group of players and staff this season.
"I have very fond
memories of my players and the support staff. I am absolutely furious with the Club board, and with those who allow it to sign 22 players without having paid many of the players and the members of the coaching staff, what they are owed under last season's contracts," Habas said.
The East Bengal coach appeared visibly angry and disappointed while addressing the issue, making it clear that his frustration stemmed from the treatment of people who had worked for the club during the previous campaign.
🚨 “We played one Season for Free at Inter Kashi”East Bengal head coach Antonio Lopez Habas has launched a scathing attack on Inter Kashi’s management over alleged unpaid dues owed to several players and members of the coaching staff from last season!Speaking during the post-match press conference, Habas expressed his anger at the club’s decision to sign 22 players despite reportedly failing to clear outstanding payments from the previous campaign.“I have very fond memories of my players and the support staff. I am absolutely furious with the Club board, and with those who allow it to sign 22 players without having paid many of the players and the members of the coaching staff, what they are owed under last season’s contracts.”#EastBengal #Habas #ISL #IndianFootball
- Mykhel Football (@Mykhel_football) October 23, 2026
'We Played One Season for Free at Inter Kashi'
Habas did not hold back while describing the situation, questioning how a club could recruit an entirely new set of personnel while allegedly leaving members of its previous squad and coaching team without their dues.
"It is not normal. They were not paid for an entire year. We played one season for free at Inter Kashi," he added.
While East Bengal's five-goal performance ensured a memorable evening on the pitch, Habas used the post-match press conference to draw attention to the financial concerns surrounding his former club. The comments have placed the spotlight on Inter Kashi's management, with questions remaining over the alleged unpaid dues and the circumstances surrounding the transition to a new squad and coaching staff.
