The All India Football Federation today gave the green signal for the May 27 exhibition tie between Mohun Bagan and German giants Bayern Munich here, but refused to release the Bagan players called for national duty.

Stating that the match clashed with the Indian team’s camp ahead of the SAFF Championship in Male beginning from May 30, AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said that the organisers should have sought permission from the Federation before proceeding for discussions with Bayern.

“I spoke with match organisers (Bengal Peerless Managing Director) Kumar Shankar Bagchi. He conceded he did not know the regulations. He was also not aware of the national football calendar,” Dasmunsi said.

“But we do not want the match to be cancelled,” he said.