The All India Football Federation (AIFF) imposed a four-month ban on India defender Anwar Ali on Tuesday, 10th September after deeming him responsible for a breach of contract. The 24-year-old, along with East Bengal FC and Delhi FC, have been ordered to pay a substantial compensation of Rs 12.90 crore to Mohun Bagan as a result of Ali's transfer to EBFC, along with a ban of 4 months on the player.
In one of the most significant transfers in Indian football history, the centre-back completed a 5-year deal move to East Bengal from his parent club, Delhi FC, last month. He was instrumental in Mohun Bagan's Shield triumph in the ISL last season and also guided them to the Durand Cup 2024 final win as well. After their star player joined their fiercest rivals, Mohun Bagan contested Anwar's transfer to East Bengal, filing a complaint with the AIFF's Player Status Committee (PSC), citing wrongful contract termination.
The Red & Gold Brigade then subsequently approached the Delhi High Court, requesting a stay on the suspension handed down by the All India Football Federation. The suspension was imposed for Anwar Ali's "unlawful termination" of his four-year loan contract with Mohun Bagan.
Initial Report
But as per reports, Carlos Cuadrat's men was believed to receive some relief in the Anwar Ali issue initially on Friday, 13th September. The Delhi High Court issued a Stay Order on all the decisions made by AIFF's Player Status Committee (PSC). Anwar himself was also been granted temporary permission to play. East Bengal and Delhi FC had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on the federation's disciplinary order. The star defender had also submitted a petition along with them. As per multiple outlets the court accepted the petition from all three parties and issued a stay order on the federation's decision. This meant that, until further notice, the federation's disciplinary action will not be enforced. This particular report came out after Delhi FC's chief official Ranjit Bajaj claimed through a report that Anwar was given a Stay Order.
Latest Report
But like everyone, it was believed this was the final order but a second hearing took place on the same date from 2:15 PM IST onwards as The Honourable Delhi High Court asked AIFF's PSC to rehear the Anwar Ali case after the AIFF lawyer admitted the grounds were not written yet. The court questioned how a decision could be made without written grounds. In simple words, there was no appeal ground given to East Bengal regarding the case and that is why the Kolkata giants had to move to the High Court. The AIFF argued that as per their laws of the governing body, they would've given a chance to appeal within 10 days as reported by RevSportz.
But the High Court said that it cannot be proceeded as per the AIFF laws, it has to be done in accordance to the laws of the Indian constitution. So as a result, the entire decision given out by the PSC regarding the Anwar case stands nullified and it is entirely quashed by the Honourable Court.
So the entire proceedings will once again take place on 14th September, 2024 right from scratch. So as of now, Anwar is technically no longer an East Bengal player nor a Mohun Bagan Super Giant man.
Anwar has already terminated his contract with Mohun Bagan and as per FIFA laws, no one can force a player to stay at a club he wants to depart. But the Mohun Bagan legal team has claimed that as everything has been quashed, Ali belongs to the Super Giants as of now as per Revsportz. But we have to wait and see what will be the final call taken by the PSC on Saturday in the fresh hearing.
As a result, the NOC previously given by AIFF to Anwar stands cancelled, so he also cannot technically join his new club East Bengal. But Ranjit Bajaj has claimed through his latest tweet that the PSC will give Ali's NOC during the hearing as per FIFA laws and then the debate of just or unjust termination will come up. Things have taken a 360-degree turn and surely it is far from over.