Panaji: Indian footballer Anwar Ali has been cleared to officially play for East Bengal after receiving a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Players' Status Committee (PSC). This came after the Delhi High Court ordered a rehearing of his case, overturning a previous suspension by the AIFF.
Anwar Ali was suspended for four months by the AIFF on September 10, 2023, after being found guilty of wrongfully ending his contract with Mohun Bagan. Along with the suspension, the AIFF demanded that Anwar, his parent club Delhi FC, and East Bengal, where he had signed a five-year contract, pay Rs 12.90 crore in compensation.
However, the Delhi High Court criticized the AIFF’s decision, stating that Anwar had not been given a fair chance to defend himself and that the ruling lacked proper justification. The court ordered the AIFF to review the case, leading to the PSC issuing a fresh NOC, allowing Anwar to join East Bengal and play in the Indian Super League (ISL) while the case continues.
Timeline of Anwar Ali Case:
-July 9: Anwar Ali ends his contract with Mohun Bagan.
-July 10: Anwar asks the AIFF to register him with Delhi FC.
-July 12: Mohun Bagan asks Anwar to return to training by July 19.
-July 17: Anwar presents his case to the PSC.
-July 19: Anwar does not show up for Mohun Bagan's training session.
-August 2: The AIFF’s PSC lists the case for review.
-August 3: The PSC decides that Anwar's contract termination was wrongful.
-August 10: Anwar requests an NOC from the PSC.
-August 11: The PSC issues a conditional NOC, warning Anwar to proceed at his own risk.
-August 12: Anwar signs a five-year deal with East Bengal.
-August 23: Final hearing takes place.
-September 10: AIFF suspends Anwar Ali and demands compensation.
-September 13: The Delhi High Court orders a rehearing.
-September 19: The PSC grants a fresh NOC, clearing Anwar to join East Bengal.
The case is still ongoing, with the next hearing set for September 30, 2023.
