ATK Mohun Bagan on Thursday apologised for a comment made by Utsav Parekh, a member of its board of directors.

In an interview to an online media channel, Parekh said Mohun Bagan could never have dreamt of playing in the AFC Cup inter-zonal semi-finals without the support of ATK.

“ATK are enhancing Mohun Bagan’s name. They never played in the AFC Cup on their own because they did not have the chance to do so,” Parekh said, speaking in Bengali.

ATK Mohun Bagan are in the AFC Cup using Bagan’s quota as I-League champions of 2019-20. Bagan have played in the AFC Cup four times.

Parekh’s comment drew ire from the club’s fans who are already demanding the removal of ATK as prefix.

As a damage-control measure, ATK Mohun Bagan tweeted: “We apologise for a comment made by one of our directors with respect to ATK

Mohun Bagan’s participation in the AFC Cup. We have utmost respect for the rich legacy and heritage of Mohun Bagan and will continue to uphold the same.”

That, however, came after Mohun Bagan Athletic Club sought an explanation from ATK Mohun Bagan Pvt. Ltd.