Just three days before the new Indian Super League (ISL) season kicks off, a major controversy has shaken the Indian football scene. Anwar Ali, a prominent Indian international, who made a dramatic switch from Mohun Bagan to East Bengal last month, has been slapped with a four-month sporting sanction by the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Players’ Status Committee (PSC). This decision stems from Anwar’s termination of his loan deal with Mohun Bagan Super Giant, despite having four years remaining on his contract. He then opted for a permanent transfer to cross-town rival East Bengal from Delhi FC.
The AIFF’s Players’ Status Committee deemed the termination of Anwar’s contract with Mohun Bagan as ‘without a just cause,’ after the ISL Shield winner argued that the move was illegal. As a result, East Bengal and Delhi FC have been hit with a two-window transfer ban, while Anwar, East Bengal, and Delhi FC have been ordered to pay a hefty compensation of Rs 12.9 crore to Mohun Bagan.
The question now is: What are the next steps for Anwar Ali and East Bengal? According to Article 51 of the AIFF constitution, the 24-year-old center-back has the right to appeal the sanction to the AIFF Appeal Committee. This committee will review the decisions made by the Players’ Status Committee concerning player eligibility.
Article 51, point four, states that the ‘decisions pronounced by the Appeal Committee shall be final and binding on all parties.’ However, if the Appeal Committee upholds the original decision, Anwar can still appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
When can Anwar Ali play football again? Anwar’s return to the field hinges on two factors: the completion of his four-month ban and the full payment of the Rs. 12.9 crore fine to Mohun Bagan. Furthermore, he is also barred from representing India until this matter is fully resolved.
This isn’t the first instance of such a controversy in Indian football. In 2019, the now-defunct Pune City FC and Spanish footballer Nestor Gordillo faced similar sanctions. The PSC imposed a two-window transfer ban on Pune City and a four-month playing ban along with a Rs. 5 lakh fine on Gordillo. The reason? Gordillo signed a pre-contract with Pune City FC while still under contract with Chennai City FC. Nestor appealed to the AIFF Appeal Committee, but the Committee ruled in favor of Chennai City.
The current case involving Anwar Ali and East Bengal highlights the complexities of player transfers in Indian football. It also raises questions about the appeal process and the potential consequences for players, clubs, and the sport itself. The outcome of this case will likely have far-reaching implications for future player transfers in India’s burgeoning football scene.
