CALCUTTA: East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have been fined Rs 1 lakh each for withdrawing from the McDowell Cup football tournament, played earlier this month.

The two premier football clubs had withdrawn from the McDowell Cup just before their semi-final clash, allegedly in protest against the `biased reporting' by a section of the media.

The IFA, organisers of the Cup who were supposed to pay Rs 1 lakh each to both the teams as participation money, will now withhold these amounts and adjust them against the fine.

The two clubs will also be warned against repeating the incident, which will invite a strong action. An IFA office-bearer indicated that another withdrawal by either of the club might even cost them a place in the National League.

Swati dropped

MUMBAI: Squash Rackets Federation of India has dropped Delhi player Swati Arora from the Indian women's squad on disciplinary ground. She was to travel to Kuala Lumpur for Asian Championship (july 1-19) as thefourth player along with Mekhla Subedar, Sohini Kumari and Arti Ponnie. SRFI did not eloborate the disciplinary count but announced that Dipali Anvekar of Maharashtra will be going instead of Arora.