New Delhi: Anwar Ali, East Bengal and Delhi FC filed a writ petition with the Delhi High Court on Thursday seeking an interim stay order on sanctions of the All India Football Federation over a transfer deal.
The AIFF’s players status committee banned Ali from football for four months while also directing the defender, Delhi FC and East Bengal to pay a compensation of Rs 12.90 crore to Mohun Bagan.
Delhi FC and East Bengal were also handed a two transfer window ban for unjust termination of a valid contract between Ali and Bagan.
While the India international was found guilty of ending his four-year loan contract with Bagan ‘without just cause’, ‘parent club’ Delhi and ‘new club’ EB were found guilt of ‘inducement’, the AIFF noted while delivering the judgement, the quantum of which is unprecedented in Indian football.
Ali, who turned out for India at the Intercontinental Cup in Hyderabad earlier in the month, is currently barred from action for both club and country after signing for EB on a lucrative five-year deal though he is allowed to train with them.
East Bengal begin their ISL campaign away in Bengaluru on Saturday. Being a key player, the red and golds have sought an urgent hearing with the Delhi HC, hoping for an immediate stay order on AIFF’s judgement, which would making him free to take the field.
“Yes we have filed a petition today since lodging an appeal to AIFF over the sanction would take time. In the meantime, we want him to be eligible to play since he is an important member of our squad,” top East Bengal official East Bengal ‘Nitu’ Sarkar told News9 Sports.
“We seek an interim stay order on AIFF’s decision which would allow Anwar to play for the time being,” he said, adding that EB will also file an appeal with AIFF’s appeals committee.
“We have said the judgement is illegal and have sought a stay on the order till the time an appeal is made and AIFF’s appeals committee decides on the matter,” Delhi FC co-owner Ranjit Bajaj said.
“The ban can’t be implemented till the time there is an appeal against the judgement.”
Ali, EB and Delhi will get 10 days to appeal after receiving the grounds on which the judgement was given by AIFF’s PSC. Since it is a time consuming affair, EB has sough immediate temporary relief.
“They have no option other than seeking temporary relief from the court since they have been handed such a big punishment. Hence they have demanded an urgent hearing before their opening match,” a lawyer aware of the developments explained.
‘Important player’
East Bengal coach Carles Cuadrat also acknowledged the importance of Ali on his team;s backline after it was exposed in their Durand Cup quarter-final loss to Shillong Lajong.
“We know he is going to be an important player for the club, but we understand the situation that is not in our hands,” Cuadrat told reporters on Thursday.
“I have spoken to the player, and he’s going to be very important for us. We have to understand that he’s not going to play tomorrow, so we have to plan with the rest of the players. He’s training very well.
Cuadrat hoped he would get Ali soon but has braced for his absence in the BFC game away in Bengaluru.
“It’s not in my hands. What’s in my hands is to try and be competitive. The club is making a strategy, and everything is working as expected. But we don’t look for excuses. We try to be competitive,” he added.
The AIFF banned Anwar Ali for four months while also directing the player, Delhi FC and East Bengal to pay a compensation of Rs 12.90 crore to Mohun Bagan.
Delhi FC and East Bengal were also handed a two transfer window ban for unjust termination of a valid contract between Ali and Bagan. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
