New Delhi: Namdhari FC have lodged a fresh complaint with the All India Football Federation against Inter Kashi, alleging them of fielding “a seventh foreign player” in the ongoing I-League, in contravention of tournament rules that allow clubs to register a maximum of six overseas footballers.
In a letter sent to the AIFF’s disciplinary committee on March 29, Namdhari claimed that Kashi flouted clear regulatory provisions through “improper squad modifications”.
The AIFF is yet to respond to Namdhari’s complaint or set a date for hearing despite the league scheduled to get over on April 6.
In their complaint, Namdhari have cited that Kashi violated articles 6.5.6 and 6.5.7 of I-League regulations, in which a club can register up to six foreign players after completing international formalities and on match day, can have a maximum of six foreigners in their squad.
Only four foreigners can be on the field at any time during a match and a foreigner can be replaced by another foreigner only three times in the competition (due to injury which prevents him from participating in the rest of the competition or mutual contract termination).
Namdhari pointed out that Spanish striker Mario Barco (jersey No. 9) was replaced from Kashi’s 30-man squad in game week 9 with Serbian centre forward Matija Babovic (jersey No. 30) and then brought back to the squad in game week 15 in replacement of Spanish midfielder Julen Perez del Pino (jersey No. 6).
Namdhari argue that as per their understanding of I-league regulations, a player can be substituted out of the squad in case of a season-ending injury or a mutual termination of contract.
“It must be noted that re-introduction of jersey No. 9 into the squad is a clear violation I-league Regulation 6.5.7. It is submitted that a player can only be replaced if he has a season-ending injury or if his contract is mutually terminated,” Namdhari wrote in their letter of complaint.
They claimed that Kashi registered Barco as one of their six foreigners in their squad for match No. 28 (game week 5) against Churchill Brothers and then added Babovic to their squad for match No. 62 (game week 11) against Rajasthan United at the expense of Barco, who made a return to squad for match No. 95 (game week 16) against Delhi FC, match No. 98 (game week 17) against Real Kashmir, match NO. 104 (game week 18) against Namdhari.
“It is pertinent to note that jersey No. 30, i.e., the newly introduced seventh foreign player, continued to play alongside Jersey No. 9 (i.e., the supposed replaced foreign player) in the above-mentioned matches.
“Hence, the only conclusion that can be drawn from the above is that the delinquent club has violated article 6.5.6 with article 6.5.7 of I-League regulations 2024-25 by placing a seventh foreign player,” Namdhari said.
Another committee-room battle
Earlier, in a separate case, the AIFF’s disciplinary committee awarded three points and three goals to Kashi in their match against Namdhari for fielding an ineligible player. The decision was temporarily put on hold by AIFF’s appeals committee, deciding to hear the matter again on April 28.
Namdhari had won the match 2-0 on January 13 at their home ground in in Sri Bhaini Sahib, Ludhiana. Kashi are among four clubs currently locked in a battle for the I-League, with the last round matches to be played on April 6.
In a letter sent to the AIFF’s disciplinary committee, Namdhari FC claimed that Inter Kashi flouted clear I-League regulatory provisions through “improper squad modifications”. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
