01 September,2011 08:52 AM IST | | Agni Pandey
The Venezuelans couldn't practice here yesterday! With their practice jerseys failing to arrive due to logistical issues with the aviation department, Argentina's opponents were offered to sport local giants Mohun Bagan's jerseys during a practice session at the Salt Lake stadium.
At first, Cesar Farias' team had agreed to wear the identical maroon jerseys. However, with a liquor baron's advertisement flashing on its chest, Venezuela, also supported by a liquor brand cited conflict of interest as the reason not to wear the Mohun Bagan jersey.
They felt that it would be providing unnecessary mileage to a rival liquor brand.
MiD DAY has learnt that Venezuela's practice kit accidently reached Spain. Emirates Airlines confirmed that it will be be reaching Kolkata tomorrow ahead of Friday's blockbuster game.
Mohun Bagan's Finance Secretary, Debashish Datta confirmed this to MiD DAY: "When we came to know they don't have their practice jersey, we decided to give them our jersey for practice because of the identical maroon colours.
"It's unfortunate that there was a problem and that they could not eventually wear it. We wanted to make them feel at home."
