Anwar Ali’s Shocking Ban Rocks Indian Football: East Bengal and Delhi FC Slammed with Double Transfer Window Blockade and ₹12.9 Crore Penalty!

Anwar Ali’s Ban and Its Consequences for East Bengal FC and Delhi FC

Anwar Ali, a prominent defender in Indian football, has been handed a four-month ban by the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Players’ Status Committee (PSC) for terminating his contract with Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) without just cause. This decision has far-reaching implications not only for Anwar but also for East Bengal FC and Delhi FC, the clubs involved in his controversial transfer saga.

The Context Behind the Ban

The controversy began when Anwar Ali unilaterally terminated his four-year loan agreement with Mohun Bagan on July 9, 2024, to rejoin his parent club, Delhi FC. Less than a day later, on July 10, 2024, Delhi FC and East Bengal FC entered into a tripartite agreement for Ali’s transfer to East Bengal on a five-year contract. This swift move led to a dispute, prompting MBSG to approach the AIFF’s Players’ Status Committee for resolution.

Anwar Ali’s actions were seen as a violation of the agreement with MBSG, as he did not have just cause for terminating his contract prematurely. The PSC reviewed the case and found that Anwar Ali’s termination was unjustified, leading to a series of sanctions against the involved parties.

Sanctions Imposed by the AIFF

The PSC’s ruling included a four-month sporting ban for Anwar Ali, preventing him from participating in any official matches during this period. This ban means that Anwar will be unavailable for East Bengal FC’s crucial fixtures, including the AFC Challenge League group stages and the first half of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024/25 season. The ban will commence from the first matchday of the ISL 2024-25 season.

Moreover, East Bengal FC and Delhi FC have been hit with a ban on registering new players for two entire and consecutive registration periods. This means that both clubs will be unable to sign new players during the 2024 winter and 2025 summer transfer windows. This restriction could severely hamper East Bengal FC’s ability to strengthen their squad, particularly as they navigate the challenges of the ISL and other competitions.

Financial Penalties and Compensation

In addition to the bans, the PSC has ordered that a compensation of ₹12.9 crore be paid to Mohun Bagan Super Giant. This amount is to be paid jointly and severally by Anwar Ali, East Bengal FC, and Delhi FC. The compensation reflects the residual value of Ali’s contract with MBSG, remuneration already paid by MBSG to Delhi FC under the loan agreement, and additional damages suffered by the club due to the breach of contract.

The ₹12.9 crore compensation is broken down into three main components:

1. Residual Value of Contract: ₹8.4 crore, calculated based on the average value of Anwar’s contracts with MBSG and subsequently with East Bengal.
2. Remuneration Paid by MBSG: ₹2 crore, representing the amount already paid by MBSG to Delhi FC under the loan agreement.
3. Additional Damages: ₹2.5 crore, covering other damages suffered by MBSG, including the cost of finding a replacement for Anwar Ali.

Impact on East Bengal FC

For East Bengal FC, the sanctions represent a significant setback. The club, which had ambitious plans for the upcoming season, will now have to cope with the absence of one of their key defensive players and the inability to make new signings to bolster their squad. East Bengal FC had agreed to pay Delhi FC a transfer fee of ₹2.5 crore for Ali, and the total financial burden, including the fines and Anwar’s contract, amounts to a substantial ₹32.95 crore. This includes ₹26.5 crore in transfer fees and salaries, and ₹6.45 crore in fines.

East Bengal’s campaign in the ISL 2024/25 will be particularly challenging as the team navigates the early season fixtures without the ability to strengthen their squad in the transfer market. The inability to register new players could affect the club’s depth and flexibility, especially if injuries or other unforeseen issues arise during the season.

Impact on Delhi FC

Delhi FC, while also facing the two-window transfer ban, does not bear any financial responsibility for the compensation to MBSG as per the tripartite agreement. This is a significant relief for Delhi FC, as they are only subjected to the sporting sanction of the transfer ban. However, like East Bengal, Delhi FC will have to manage their squad without the option to bring in new players for two consecutive windows.

The Road Ahead and the Possibility of Appeal

All parties involved have the right to appeal the PSC’s decision to the AIFF Appeals Committee. If Anwar Ali or the clubs file an appeal, the monetary compensation could be suspended until the Appeals Committee makes a final decision. However, lifting the sporting and transfer bans would require a stay order from the Appeals Committee, which might be difficult to obtain.

The appeal process could potentially offer some respite, but the bans and financial penalties have already placed considerable strain on the parties involved. East Bengal FC and Delhi FC will need to carefully strategize their next steps, both on and off the field, to mitigate the impact of these sanctions.

Conclusion

The sanctions imposed by the AIFF’s Players’ Status Committee against Anwar Ali, East Bengal FC, and Delhi FC serve as a stern reminder of the importance of adhering to contractual obligations in professional football. For East Bengal FC, the inability to field Anwar Ali and the restrictions on new player registrations pose a considerable challenge as they aim to compete at the highest levels of Indian football. As the situation unfolds, the appeals process will likely determine the final outcome of this contentious case.

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