East Bengal Complain as Arkadag Media Officer Removed for Spying on Training Ahead of AFC Challenge League Match: Report

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East Bengal's preparations for their crucial AFC Challenge League quarter-final second leg against FK Arkadag have been overshadowed by a shocking incident. The Turkmenistan club's media officer, who had accompanied the team to India for the first leg, was caught spying on the Indian club's training session.

According to multiple reports, the media officer was found observing the training from the media tribune beyond the allotted 15-minute window for the press. East Bengal promptly lodged a complaint with the AFC authorities, following which the official was removed from the premises.

The Red & Gold Brigade are trailing 1-0 from the first-leg and will be looking to give everything in their capacity to overturn the tie and earn a historic spot in the semi-finals of the competition.

Before the Arkadag media officer incident, the Bangal Brigade faced several challenges in Turkmenistan. The team was not allowed to leave their hotel without prior approval, a restriction they were not informed about before their arrival.

Communication was another major issue, as internet access was cut off for hours. Even after it was restored, social media platforms remained blocked, making it difficult for players and staff to contact their families. The team was provided with only four SIM cards, which further complicated communication.

Food and hygiene conditions were also poor. Despite submitting a meal plan in advance, their dietary requirements were not met. Breakfast was unplanned, forcing some players to skip their meals. Lunch was basic, consisting of coarse rice, watery dal, and a single piece of fried fish, while requests for chicken or eggs were ignored.

The water supply in the hotel was questionable, with players witnessing dirty water being used for cooking. When they turned on their taps, muddy water initially flowed out.

Training arrangements were heavily controlled. The team was only allowed to train when a designated bus arrived, but the bus was delayed by nearly an hour. When they finally reached the stadium, they found the pitch in poor condition, with uneven grass and a high risk of injuries. Security concerns also added to their discomfort.

Team officials noticed that an unknown car followed their bus to the stadium, and their passports were taken upon arrival at the hotel and as per reports, the players and the staff are yet to get their passports back. Basic toiletries like toothpaste and toothbrushes were not provided in their rooms, making their stay even more difficult.