Indian men’s national team defender Anwar Ali has been handed a four-month ban from football. The All India Football Federation (AIFF)’s Player Status Committee (PSC) made the decision following the premature termination of his loan agreement with Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) to join East Bengal FC. The move also resulted in sanctions for both East Bengal and Ali’s parent club, Delhi FC, who will be prohibited from registering any players for the next two transfer windows starting in January.
Adding to the consequences, MBSG is entitled to a compensation of Rs 12.9 crore, to be paid jointly by Anwar, East Bengal, and Delhi FC. The issue stems from Anwar’s unilateral decision to terminate his loan agreement with Mohun Bagan in July, where he was contracted on a four-year loan deal. Despite sending an email to MBSG and signing a five-year contract with East Bengal, Mohun Bagan maintained that the move was illegal and included him in their Calcutta Football League squad.
According to Article 15 of AIFF’s Regulations for Status and Transfer of Players, a professional player’s contract can only be terminated upon contract expiry or by mutual consent. Anwar, Delhi FC, and Mohun Bagan approached the PSC for a resolution. Although the Committee deemed the loan termination unjustified in its interim order on August 3rd, they allowed Anwar to join another club at his own risk. Subsequently, East Bengal officially announced the signing of the India center-back on August 13th.
The AIFF’s decision adds another chapter to the ongoing saga of player transfers and contract disputes in Indian football. The case highlights the importance of adhering to established regulations and the potential consequences of violating them.
