New Delhi: Mohun Bagan have ordered their wantaway star Anwar Ali to join their practice on July 19, amidst a transfer battle also involving traditional rivals East Bengal.
The centre back has initiated proceedings to unilaterally terminate his four-year loan agreement with Bagan after serving only a year to return to his parent club Delhi FC in hope of a permanent five-year deal with EB.
The India international has cited to FIFA’s new rule that stipulates any loan’s duration to be for a maximum period of one year for his wish to terminate his agreement with Bagan.
However, this new rule is yet to be implemented in India with the All India Football Federation planning to set it in motion in January 2025. Until then, all retrospective multi-year loan deals are vaild in the eyes of the AIFF.
Ali agreed to a contract to receive Rs 9 crore in four years from Bagan ending in 2027 with DFC getting a transfer fee of around Rs 2 crore. But he has attempted to end the association only after a year, which the reigning Indian Super League champions are unwilling to agree to.
Ali had communicated his wish to end the agreement with Bagan and return to his parent club Delhi FC last week, to which the Green and Maroons replied on Wednesday ordering him to join their youth team’s training on July 19.
“Anwar has been told to join the youth team’s practice,” a person aware of the developments told News9 Sports.
“He is yet to respond. In case he fails to join practice, Bagan could initiate legal steps for absence without official leave and could face fine of Rs 1 lak per day for each day of missed training.”
Who wants to see more Durand Cup magic from Anwar? 😏✊#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/FqiwuFTtho
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) July 10, 2024
Lucrative offer
A person close to Anwar confirmed the development but said the 23-year-old plans to wait till the AIFF’s players status committee issues a ruling, which it does in case of contract logjam cases.
“Anwar wrote to Bagan asking to be given a permanent contract. But they said will only initiate negotiations after 3 years once the loan period is over,” the person said, requesting anonimity.
East Bengal have offered him a five year deal of Rs 4-4.5 crore per year with Delhi FC getting a transfer fee of around Rs 2.5 crore.
For Ali to return to DFC and then enter into a permanent contract with EB, he and Bagan have to agree on mutual termination of contract before obtaining a no objection certificate.
But a Bagan insider have said no such measures have been taken either by Ali or DFC, which leads to unilateral termination of contract without any “just cause”.
Till Friday morning, neither has EB applied for registration of Ali in AIFF’s central registration system neither has the federation informed Bagan of any potential move.
Article 10.2 of FIFA’s regulations on the status and transfer of players June 2024 edition states: “Loan agreements with a duration of more than one year which predate the entering into force of these regulations may continue until their contractual expiration. They may be extended only in accordance with article 10.”
Article 4 states: “Where the contract between a professional and the new club has been unilaterally terminated prior to the completion of the duration agreed in the loan agreement:
a) the professional has the right to return to the former club;
b) the professional must immediately inform the former club of the premature termination and whether they intend to return to the former club;
c) if the professional decides to return to the former club, the former club must reintegrate the professional immediately. The contract which was suspended during the loan shall be reinstated from the date of reintegration, and in particular, the former club must remunerate the professional;
d) rules governing registration at national level must be determined by the association in agreement with domestic football stakeholders.”
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— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) July 12, 2024
The AIFF’s regulation for status and transfer of players states that any contract between a player and a club can only be terminated upon expiry of the term of the contract or by mutual agreement.
An AIFF official observed that it is unlikely that Ali can take refuge under the new FIFA loan rule as all older contracts are valid.
“The new rule will be implemented from January 2025 in India. Bagan can appeal to the PSC if they feel the player has moved for a unilateral termination of contract,” the official said, preferring not be identified.
Ali’s camp is aware if he is found guilty by the PSC, he can be slapped with a heavy fine or suspension or both. But whatever the outcome, they insist his deal with Bagan is over and he can’t be forced to play for them against his wish.
“Once a player terminates contract, it stays terminated. So either the player will be fined or banned for a few months,” the person said.
The aggrieved party in the outcome will have the option of appealing to FIFA’s players status tribune and further to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if they aren’t pleased with the global body’s verdict.
Anwar Ali is involved in a contract battle with Mohun Bagan for potential move to East Bengal. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
