Atletico Madrid mulls pulling out of ATK

Spanish football club Atletico Madrid are reportedly reconsidering their association with their Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Atletico de Kolkata (ATK).

According to Spanish publication Marca, officials of the Spanish club have not cleared their future plans regarding the Indian franchise which has won the Indian league twice in 2014 and 2016.

"But we either need to develop or leave," a official was quoted as saying by Marca on Sunday.

The Spanish officials also hailed India as an important country and regarded franchise's host city Kolkata even more special.

"For us, India is a very important country and Calcutta a very dear city."

Representatives of ATK, however, declined to comment on the issue when contacted by IANS.

Atletico de Kolkata is owned by Kolkata Games and Sports Private Limited which comprises former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, Spanish La Liga club Atletico Madrid, alongside businessmen Harshavardhan Neotia, Sanjiv Goenka and Utsav Parekh.

--IANS

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