Indian defender Anwar Ali has received a much-needed boost ahead of the Indian Super League (ISL) season. The Player Status Committee (PSC) of the All India Football Federation has granted him an interim No Objection Certificate (NOC), allowing him to finally don the East Bengal jersey this season. This decision marks a significant turning point in a legal saga that began with Ali’s controversial transfer from Delhi FC to East Bengal.
Ali, 24, had severed his four-year loan contract with Mohun Bagan Super Giant in July and signed a permanent five-year deal with East Bengal. However, Mohun Bagan challenged the move, arguing that it was made without a justifiable reason. The PSC sided with Mohun Bagan and imposed a hefty Rs. 12.90 crore fine on Ali and a two-window transfer ban on both East Bengal and Delhi FC.
The matter reached the Delhi High Court, which intervened, deeming the PSC’s initial order flawed due to a lack of detailed reasoning. The court ordered the PSC to reconsider its decision. The latest development, following meetings that began on Tuesday, concluded with the issuance of the NOC for Ali on Thursday.
Despite being named in East Bengal’s official ISL squad, Ali has been sidelined since the beginning of the season. His last appearance came in the Indian national team’s match against Syria on September 9. With the NOC now in hand, he is finally eligible to feature for East Bengal, starting with their upcoming match against Kerala Blasters on September 22.
A seasoned ISL campaigner, Ali has previously played for FC Goa and Mohun Bagan, winning the Durand Cup and ISL Shield with the latter last season. His return to the field comes as a welcome boost for East Bengal, who are aiming for a strong performance in the 2023-24 ISL season.
The PSC is yet to finalize the final decision on the fine and transfer bans, with a verdict expected around September 30. This will provide further clarity on the long-term consequences of Ali’s transfer saga, which has been a major talking point in Indian football circles.
