New Delhi: Anwar Ali unilaterally terminated his Mohun Bagan contract without a ‘just’ cause and would have to pay compensation, the All India Football Federation’s player status committee decided on Saturday.
The India international was on a four-year loan to Bagan from Delhi FC but reneged on his contract after playing ony for a year. He told Bagan his intention of terminating his contract on June 8 and officially confirmed it on June 10, following which he agreed on a conditional five-year deal with East Bengal.
Hence the PSC also noted that Delhi FC and East Bengal are ‘parties’ to the case and they would have to respond to queries on the matter.
“It is observed by the Committee that prima facie – based on the contentions of the claimant, and the submissions made by the respondent in the meeting conducted on 02nd August 2024 the Player has terminated the contract. However, the committee finds such termination to be without a just cause,” the PSC said in its interim order.
Ali had agreed on a deal to get Rs 9 crore in four years from Bagan with Delhi FC getting Rs 2 crore as transfer fee. It is understoos he would get around Rs 3.5 rore to 4 crore for five years from EB with Delhi receiving Rs 2.5 lakh as transfer fee.
In its interim judgement the PSC said that Anwar accepted he has signed a deall= with East Bengal, but since the defender has not followed accpeted rules to terminate the contract he would have to pay damages/compensation and if required suspension.
“The committee after hearing the submissions from both parties finds the following: (i) The player has terminated his contract and has admittedly already returned to DFC, and thereafter signed with East Bengal Football Club.
“However, such termination has been found to be without just cause and the consequences in accordance with Article 20 of the AIFF RSTP, 2024 and any other associated regulations will be applicable,” the PSC said.
“The contract is not capable of being specifically enforced and as admitted during the course of hearings by the respondent club, the remedy for the Respondent club lies only in damages/compensation and other associated consequences flowing from the relevant regulations.”
East Bengal, Delhi FC parties to Anwar Ali transfer drama
While the PSC ruled that Ali’s request for transfer should be accepted but it would depend on another hearing.
“Since the matter concerns the livelihood of the player and urgent relief has been requested, and having regard to the view of the Claimant that the player has terminated the contract, the Committee directs the AIFF Players’ Status Department to approve any request for transfer raised by the player subject to other provisions related to the transfer of a player under AIFF RSTP, 2023 or other relevant AIFF/FIFA Statutes.
“However, any such transfer shall be subject to the final decision of the committee in the next hearing and at the risk of all interested parties,” the PSC said.
The committee also sought responses from Delhi and East Bengal over their involvement in the transfer saga, seeking a reply on why they shouldn’t be held culpable for the unilateral termination without ‘just’ cause and financially punished.
“The committee further issues notices to all interested parties including Delhi FC and East Bengal FC under article 6.3 of the AIFF Rules Governing the Procedures of the AIFF PSC June 2021 (Rules), seeking their response on why they should not be held jointly and severally liable with the player for any damages awarded,” it said.
Bagan have demanded a compensation of Rs 15 crore for Ali beaching his contract after deciding to fine him Rs 1 lakh per missed training from June 19. The quantum of compensation and any other punishment will be decided by the PSC after hearing from Delhi FC and EB, for which they have been given five days to respond.
Anwar Ali didn’t follow rules when he ended his contract with Mohun Bagan, the AIFF’s player status committee said, also noting that Delhi FC and East Bengal are ‘parties’ to the case. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
