Kolkata: Urging his team to put the tumultuous last few weeks behind, Atletico de Kolkata co-owner Sourav Ganguly yesterday said that fights and controversies are part of every sport, adding that it's important to finish on a high.
If poor refereeing decisions were not enough, reports of a rift between coach Antonio Habas and captain Luis Garcia and Co proved to be a setback for the team, which have three away matches on the trot before concluding the Indian Super League group stage at home on December 10.
"Tell me which 'Ganguly has not fought with Dravid', 'Dhoni has not fought with Virat Kohli' or 'Messi has not been in trouble with Neymar' in Barcelona.
"I've seen teams where players have not spoken to each other but have still gone on to win the World Cup. You need to be a bit more kind to us at times," Ganguly said.
"It's part and parcel in sport. I woke up today laughing that players went to practice 40 minutes late when they actually were discussing what to do in the session."
Garcia and Co had a team meeting at the stadium yesterday and their manager Habas reportedly had no idea about the development and was kept waiting for 40 minutes at the ground.
Rubbishing reports of a rift, Ganguly asked which sport or team or player in the world did not make headlines in a tournament.
"Coach was very much aware that the players needed 40 minutes to be on the field. I have played IPL for five years, sometime you need that break from each other, have that quiet session. And if that half an hour is seen in a way that the coach is not in good terms with footballers, then we've got nothing to do."
ATK have lost two in last four games to slip to No 2 position, and defeats included their 1-2 loss in Kerala because of a refereeing error.
Lack of goalline technology had robbed ATK of a draw in Kochi as the assistant referee had ruled out a sure-shot goal in ATK's favour when Garcia's stoppage time shot had crossed the line after coming off the cross piece.
But Ganguly said they would overcome this stage with flying colours.
"We started brilliantly then we probably slipped a bit and we'll finish well. In sport, every day is a new day. Past has got no meaning in sport whether you win or lose.
"That we're still second the group shows that we're still a strong team. You got to wake up every morning believing that you can win. You have seen us playing at our best," the former India captain said.
