The biggest saga in Indian Football continues to get more intense as Anwar Ali has been banned by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for four months after his move to East Bengal. Ali had earlier shocked the nation by opting to sign for Mohun Bagan Super Giant's historic rivals in one of the biggest transfers ever seen in Indian football history.
However, the unjust termination of his contract with Mohun Bagan meant that Ali has been penalized with a massive ban of four months as the ramifications of Anwar's move to East Bengal were made public on Tuesday, 9 September.
As per a report in News9, Mohun Bagan is set to receive a compensation fee worth Rs 12.90 crore, which will be paid in full by the player, his parent club Delhi FC, and his new team East Bengal.
Delhi FC and East Bengal have also been handed a transfer ban for a duration of two windows by the AIFF. The two teams will not be allowed to register new players for the length of the two upcoming transfer windows.
Earlier, the AIFF's player status committee had ruled against Ali saying that his move was made without any just cause, although the player was allowed to sign for East Bengal from Delhi FC.
The PSC heard the statements from all parties concerned before they informed the AIFF regarding the exact punishment for the player and the clubs involved.
Ali, due to the ongoing dispute regarding his transfer, hasn't played a single minute of football in the pre-season and was seen in action most recently during India's Intercontinental Cup fixture against Syria which the Blue Tigers lost 0-3 on Monday.
Anwar Ali's move from Mohun Bagan and East Bengal marked one of the biggest controversies in modern Indian football. The 24-year-old penned a blockbuster five-year deal with the Red and Golds, while Delhi FC received a lucrative fee of Rs 2.5 crores.
Anwar had agreed a salary of Rs 24 crore for the duration of the five-year contract, the figure also includes a handsome loyalty bonus worth Rs 8.5 crore. Following the controversy, Anwar Ali approached the AIFF PSC to get a NOC for his transfer.
The AIFF PSC provided the player with the NOC but not without punishment given his decision to terminate his contract with Mohun Bagan was deemed 'unjust'.
Therefore, Ali will not be eligible to play for East Bengal, starting from the first matchday of the ISL 2024-25 season, and the player will have to pay 50% of the Rs 12.90 crore compensation to MBSG, while the remaining will be paid by East Bengal as part of the Red Gold's tripartite agreement with Delhi FC.
The Kolkata-based club will not be able to register new players for the 2024 January window and the 2025 summer window.
Crucially, as per Khel Now, all parties have the jurisdiction to appeal the PSC's decision and if the player makes the appeal the compensation deadline will be extended until the final decision is announced by the AIFF Appeals Committee.