Liverpool legends Robbie Fowler and John Barnes expected to spend part of the coming year participating in a new soccer league in India. That may not happen because the start of the league has been delayed due to organizational problems, according to the Telegraph.
"We will announce the new dates soon," Utpal Ganguli, secretary of the Indian Football Association said. "There are many problems which need to be sorted out. We are confident the tournament will be held in West Bengal. But for now, it is not starting on March 24."
Ganguli declined to list the specific problems, but the report claims the league has not yet secured the use of government-owned stadia.
Premier League Soccer was billed as a high-profile tournament held exclusively in the soccer-mad state of West Bengal. It was originally set to kick off on March 24 and end with a final on May 6.
The six-team competition features teams made up of mostly local players, with former world soccer stars adding drawing-power. Fowler was going to be one of the league's "icon players". The former LFC star was won in an auction for a salary of $530,000. He indicated on Twitter that he would not be sticking around to see how the saga plays out.
"Ah well.. India looks like its cancelled, boots are clean and looking for a new place to play," Fowler tweeted.
Barnes was reportedly set to coach a club in Haldia, but it is unknown if he will participate in the project.
Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O'Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer's Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.
Thumbnail photo via Flickr/The Prostate Cancer Charity
